A Second Example of Ignorance of Payoff (IMAGE)

Washington University in St. Louis

A Second Example of Ignorance of Payoff

Caption

The milkweed tussock caterpillar provides another example of ignorance of payoff. The caterpillar takes on poisons by feeding on milkweed and dogbane, and its bright colors warn predators that it is toxic. But an individual caterpillar may die if she attracts a naive predator. If she knew in advance that she would be a teaching example she might opt for less conspicuous colors. But since she cannot know, selection favors bright colors that deter experienced predators.

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Strassmann

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