Thermoregulatory Behavior of the Butterfly Calisto nubila (Satyridae) in a Puerto Rican Forest

Shelly, Todd E.; Ludwig, David F.

doi:10.2307/3544693

Cited by 13 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Our radiation measurements with black and white thermometers indicated that the temperature excess on a sunlit patch compared to the shade can be profound. Most studies on thermoregulation in butter¯ies have been conducted on species from more open habitats (e.g., Douwes 1976;Dreisig 1995), but in another woodland satyrine butter¯y, Calisto nubila, it has been suggested that the high proportion of shade in the habitat and the small body size have a limiting eect on¯ight through the frequent basking intervals necessary to maintain an elevated thoracic temperature (Shelly and Ludwig 1985). It follows from the previous that patrollers bene®t more from a higher heating rate, and hence from darker wings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermoregulatory differences between phenotypes in the speckled wood butterfly: hot perchers and cold patrollers?

1998

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Males of the speckled wood butterfly Pararge aegeria L. (Satyrinae), actively search for females ("patrolling") or wait for them at particular places ("perching"). Darker males are more likely to patrol than pale ones, which are mainly territorial perchers. We studied whether this morphological variation relates to thermoregulatory differences. The relationship between thoracic temperature and ambient temperature differed between the colour types under natural conditions: darker males had on average lower body temperatures than paler males. Different activities (e.g. resting, flying) and behavioural strategies (perching or patrolling) were associated with differences in thoracic temperature: patrolling males which mainly engaged in long flights and periods of basking afterwards, had lower thoracic temperatures than perching males which engaged in very short flights, fights and basking. When resting for a while thoracic temperatures did not differ between males practising different strategies. Under laboratory conditions, darker males heated up faster than pale males but there was no difference in the thoracic temperature at which they started to fly. These results indicate that thermal requirements (or general conditions) differ between the behavioural strategies, and that behavioural differences between phenotypes (colour types) relate to differences in thermal ecology. This supports the idea that darker males are better adapted to patrolling. There is no evidence that one mate-locating strategy is always superior to the other, which coincides with the observation that both strategies co-exist. More generally, this study shows that relatively small differences in colour can have a considerable effect on thermoregulation and hence on the behavioural strategies a heliothermic insect will adopt.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…they raise their body temperature by basking in sunlight (Casey 1988;Dennis 1993). When¯ying, myogenic heat is produced, but only large insects generate sucient heat that is not quickly dissipated by convection (Shelly and Ludwig 1985;Heinrich 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoregulatory differences between phenotypes in the speckled wood butterfly: hot perchers and cold patrollers?

1998

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“…For flight butterflies often require a body temperature higher than ambient air temperature (Watt, 1968;Shelly & Ludwig, 1985;Ohsaki, 1986;Srygley, 1994;Ide, 2002). Because both the mate-locating tactics of L. phlaeas males involve active flight it is likely that when L. phlaeas males are seeking mates they need to maintain a high body temperature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weather factors affecting the male mate-locating tactics of the small copper butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Ide¹

2010

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. Males of the small copper butterfly, Lycaena phlaeas daimio, exhibit two mate-locating tactics: patrolling and perching. Field investigations were conducted to determine the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the mate-locating behaviour of male L. phlaeas. Patrolling was often observed when light intensity was high. Perching was performed throughout the day regardless of environmental conditions, but the chasing of passing insects increased at high light intensities. The activity patterns of the males were not affected by those of the females. The thoracic temperatures of patrolling males were lower than those of perching males under cool conditions, suggesting that patrolling males lose heat more easily. In contrast, perching males may more easily regulate their body temperature to a suitable level as they fly for shorter periods and can bask while waiting for mates. These results highlight several reasons (i.e., heat loss, energetic costs) why males patrol when weather conditions are favourable.

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“…CLENCH 1966;KINGSOLVER 1983;SHELLY & LUDWIG 1984;DOUGLA5 1986;HEINRICH 1986;WICKMAN 1988) have concluded that flight activity in butterflies is causally related to air temperature (or its correlate, solar irradiation). Although correlation cannot be taken as certain evidence of causality, many workers (e.g.…”

Section: Alternative Mating Tactics In C Californicamentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative Mate‐locating Tactics in Chlosyne californica (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

Alcock

1994

Ethology

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Two different mate‐locating tactics coexist within the California patch butterfly (Chlosyne californica): territorial defence of perch sites on hilltops and non‐territorial patrolling of slopes and washes. Patrolling males were observed only during periods of high population density. At these times, some marked individuals used both tactics, indicating that they possessed the behavioural flexibility to practice either hilltop territoriality or downslope patrolling. Downslope patrolling was not simply a ‘making‐the‐best‐of‐a‐bad‐job’ option for males unable to secure territories. First, patrollers were not smaller on average than territorial males. Second, downslope patrollers typically became most numerous several hours after the hilltopping territorial males peaked in density. In the late morning and midday when patrollers predominated, temperatures were relatively high (perhaps facilitating patrolling flight) and foraging females (some of which were sexually receptive) were much more abundant. Patrolling is therefore likely to be a mate‐locating supplement to hilltopping rather than an inferior substitute for it.

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Thermoregulatory Behavior of the Butterfly Calisto nubila (Satyridae) in a Puerto Rican Forest

Cited by 13 publications

References 10 publications

Thermoregulatory differences between phenotypes in the speckled wood butterfly: hot perchers and cold patrollers?

Thermoregulatory differences between phenotypes in the speckled wood butterfly: hot perchers and cold patrollers?

Weather factors affecting the male mate-locating tactics of the small copper butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Alternative Mate‐locating Tactics in Chlosyne californica (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

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