Butterfly food intake measurement via precision weighing (Nymphalidae)

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Method synopsis

Direct measurement of sugar-water consumption in butterflies by weighing individuals before and after feeding events using high-precision scales. Butterflies fed ad libitum on droplets of 1:3 sugar-water solution.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Effects of increased flight on the energetics and life history of the butterfly <i>Speyeria mormonia</i> (2015), PLoS One. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Measure food intake
   Fed all females twice a day on a 1:3 v:v sugar-water solution. Butterflies were fed after the flight treatment in the morning in haphazard order. Held the butterfly by its wings with forceps and provided a droplet of sugar-water on a plastic plate in front of the butterfly. Extended proboscis into droplet and once feeding, removed forceps and allowed butterfly to feed ad libitum. Weighed individual before and after feeding using high-precision 0.1 mg scale and calculated mass of consumed sugar water.
   Quantities: Twice daily feeding for all 40 individualsDuration: Every third day measurements throughout lifespanConditions: Fed in morning after flight treatment
   Equipment: high-precision 0.1 mg scale (Sartorius AG, Göttingen, Germany), forceps, plastic plates

Typical Equipment

• high-precision 0.1 mg scale (Sartorius AG, Göttingen, Germany)
• forceps
• plastic plates

Output Measurements

• food intake
• sugar water consumption

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used