Sex differences but no evidence of quantitative honesty in the warning signals of six-spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae L.)

The distinctive black and red wing pattern of six-spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae, L.) is a classic example of aposematism, advertising their potent cyanide-based defences. While such warning signals provide a qualitatively honest signal of unprofitability, the evidence for quantitative honesty, whereby variation in visual traits could provide accurate estimates of individual toxicity, is more equivocal. Combining sophisticated measures of cyanogenic glucoside content and wing colour from the perspective of avian predators, we investigate the relationship between coloration and defences in Z. filipendulae, to test signal honesty both within and across populations. Mean cyanogenic glucoside concentration was not correlated with wing coloration across populations in males, yet in females higher cyanogenic glucoside levels were associated with smaller and lighter red forewing markings. Trends within populations were similarly indicative of quantitative dishonesty, and consistent di...六星斑灯蛾（Zygaena filipendulae, L.）标志性的黑红翅纹是警戒色（aposematism）的经典案例，用以昭示其强效的氰化物类防御机制。尽管这类警戒信号在性质上属于无利性诚实信号——即向捕食者传递自身不可食用的诚实信息，但关于定量诚实性（quantitative honesty）的相关证据却更为模棱两可——所谓定量诚实性，即视觉特征的差异可准确反映个体的毒性水平。本研究结合鸟类捕食者视角下的氰苷含量精细测定与翅色量化分析，探究六星斑灯蛾翅色与防御机制间的关联，以检验种群内部及种群间的信号诚实性。种群层面的分析显示，雄性个体的平均氰苷浓度与翅色并无关联；而雌性个体的氰苷水平越高，其前翅红色斑纹便越小且颜色越浅。种群内部的分析趋势同样表明存在定量不诚实性，且呈现出一致的……