Vess, T.J.*; Frederik, H. Nijhout: Unraveling the Evolution of Color Pattern: Exploring Sources of Variation in Coccinellid Spots

Development is the vehicle by which genetic and environmental inputs affect morphology and is critical for accurate interpretation of the evolution of Coccinellid color pattern. Ladybug spots are of particular interest because the genetics and the distributions of melanic and non-melanic forms are well charactarized yet the existing variation is not fully explained. In addition, many of the selective forces which act on spotting pattern have been identified. To date, studies have focused on the differences among morphs in polymorphic species, with little to no attention paid to sources of variation within a morph or in monomorphic species. Adult Harmonia axyridis , an extremely polymorphic species, and Epilachna varivestis , a monomorphic species were reared at three temperatures and their spots measured to determine the degree of phenotypic plasiticy in expression of spots. Both species showed significant levels of plasticity and a sexual dimorphism in spot expression.