Ecological and Genetic Factors Driving Antipredator Defense Strategies in Lepidoptera

Natural selection has repeatedly driven the evolution of two contrasting antipredator defense strategies—camouflage, to avoid detection, and aposematism, to advertise unprofitability. But what determines when and why these strategies are favored? In this talk, I will explore the theoretical foundations and present recent findings from studies on my model species, the wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis), as well as insights from global experiments investigating the ecological and selective forces shaping these strategies..