Phenotypic plasticity of wing color patterns revealed by temperature and chemical applications in a nymphalid butterfly Vanessa indica

1. A physiological approach was taken to reveal a spectrum of phenotypic plasticity of butterfly wing color patterns using a nymphalid butterfly Vanessa indica. 2. A long-term low-temperature treatment or heat-shock treatment produced various modification types, characterized by the expanded or reduced black spots on the proximal forewing, the reduced white band on the dorsal forewing, and unique hindwing patterns. Ecdysteroid injection produced individuals with paler coloration overall. 3. Variation of these modified color patterns was phenotypically similar to the natural phenotypic variation of species in the genus Vanessa, whose implications were discussed in the light of an evolutionary role of phenotypic plasticity. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.