Movements are involved in several routine processes and may scale up to important ecological processes such as dispersal. However, movement is affected by a wealth of factors including fl ight capacity and behavioural traits. Both frequently differ in the sexes, which may well affect movement. We here aim to disentangle the relative importance of sexual differences in fl ight capacity versus behaviour on small-scale movements under controlled laboratory conditions in the temperate-zone butterfl y Lycaena tityrus. The morphology of males is typically associated with increased fl ight capacity in this species. Nevertheless, the fl ight performances of the sexes did not differ, but the mobility of the females was higher. Thus, fl ight capacity and patterns of movement may not be intimately associated. Rather, the costs and benefi ts of fl ight seem to differ substantially between the sexes, with females being more mobile, potentially as a risk spreading strategy, while males are territorial and thus more sedentary. Thus, predictions regarding movement based on morphology are diffi cult.
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