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Mate-Locating Behavior of Butterflies

1974; University of Notre Dame; Volume: 91; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/2424514

1938-4238

Berthold Lausen,

Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

Mate-locatinz behavior was studied in 11 species of Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea. Three methods of mate location are defined: (1) (males sit at species-specific sites and investigate passing objects in search of females); (2) patrolling (almost continual flight of males in search of females); (3) pheromones. Territoriality is absent or rare in butterflies; males often fly to a new site and show the same behavior. Both and patrolling species range from sedentary to migratory, and the defense function of true territorial- ity is not fulfilled by butterflies. In species the female locates the male for mating. In patrolling species the male usually locates the female. Perching males use movement in the initial approach to a potential female, but patrolling males use color more, and some females are found by the use of female pheromone when a patrolling male approaches within a few meters of the female. Perching species usually mate in limited areas of the habitat, often during only part of the day, whereas patrolling species usually mate throughout the habitat at any time of day. Evolution from patrolling to or vice versa includes an intermediate phase, for which the perching index (proportion of copulations initiated by a sitting male to those initiated by a flying male) is proposed. Evolution of occurs if it is energetically wasteful to search due to low density or inefficient flight. Patrolling may be advan- tageous in cold areas where flight may serve as a heat-gain device. Perching may evolve in species which mate in small portions of the habitat because males often return to a place near the previous site after investigating a passing object. Selection for mating in a small part of the habitat may occur if that type of site is frequent in the range of the species, if the density of the species is low, or if females emerge in only part of the normal flight area. Evolution of mating on hilltops occurs primarily at low density.