Which plant family serves as the primary food source for voracious *Pieris rapae* caterpillars?
Answer
The Brassicaceae family
The caterpillars of the Small Cabbage White butterfly, *Pieris rapae*, are notorious for their voracious feeding habits specifically targeting plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This family includes economically important crops such as cabbage and turnips, as well as wild mustard. This strong dietary specialization is the key link connecting the butterfly’s success to agricultural practices, as farmers cultivating these plants inadvertently provide vast, reliable food sources for successive larval generations. The caterpillar’s life cycle is fundamentally tied to the presence and chemical composition of these brassicas.
Related Questions
Which plant family serves as the primary food source for voracious *Pieris rapae* caterpillars?What specific plant defense compounds must *Pieris rapae* caterpillars evolve mechanisms to tolerate?How did the vast geographical spread of *P. rapae* outside Eurasia primarily occur?What strategy compensates for the visual risk of *Pieris rapae*'s conspicuous white coloration?What is suggested about *P. rapae*'s evolutionary success in human-altered landscapes?What fundamental genetic concept drives the ability of *Pieris rapae* to rapidly exploit new environments?Which behavior minimizes detection when a *Pieris rapae* butterfly is resting?If divergence in glucosinolate tolerance is mapped globally for *P. rapae*, where might divergence rates in detoxifying pathways be highest?What characteristic feature is specifically noted as being more visible on female *Pieris rapae* wings?When *P. rapae* colonizes a new continent, what factors primarily filter the initial successful individuals?