Age-related changes in the frequency of harassment-avoidance behaviourof virgin females of the small copper butterfly, Lycaena phlaeas (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Mated females of the small copper butterfly Lycaena phlaeas avoid harassment by males by closing their wings and concealing themselves when in the proximity of a con-specific butterfly. This wing-closing behaviour is less frequently exhibited by virgin females that are two days old or older (i.e., potentially receptive) than by mated females. During the first 2 days after emergence, females of L. phlaeas are sexually immature and unreceptive. To determine whether recently emerged virgin females try to avoid male harassment, age-related changes in the frequency of harassment-avoidance behaviour of virgin females were investigated. On the day of emergence, a high percentage of virgin females exhibited wing-closing behaviour. Over the following 2 days, however, the frequency of this behaviour declined sharply and then reached a constant low level. This observation supports the idea that the harassment-avoidance behaviour exhibited by virgin females of L. phlaeas depends on their receptivity.
Source: European Journal of Entomology
Author: Jun-Ya IDE
Institution: Kurume Institute of Technology
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $215
OpenAlex ID: W2158072097