Abstract
Butterflies use multiple signals, including visual, olfactory and tactile cues, to identify same- and opposite-sex individuals during courtship. In this study of the sexually dimorphic butterfly Cethosia cyane cyane, we explored the roles of visual and olfactory cues in conspecific mate recognition during courtship. Our results showed that males took the initiative in actively chasing females during courtship using only visual cues. Males could distinguish the gender of conspecifics using visual cues alone. The size and color of the wings differ significantly between the sexes. Behavioral assays showed that males visually recognized females not by wing size, but by their sexually specific wing color. The movement pattern of the model also exerted some influence on male courtship chasing behavior. A total of 21 volatiles were detected in the bodies of adults, but only cedrol played a role in the process of male recognition of females at close range. Therefore, males rely on both visual and olfactory cues to distinguish females during courtship. Visual cues play a major role in attracting males at the beginning of the courtship chase, while olfactory cues play a role in accurately identifying partners at close range.
Highlights
The courtship behavior of butterflies poses many interesting ecological questions
The aim of this study was: (1) to evaluate whether males rely on wing size and color differences between the sexes to identify females; and (2) to examine whether olfactory cues are involved in the identification of females, and if so, what compounds are involved? Analyzing the visual and olfactory cues used by male C. cyane cyane should help to deepen our understanding of sexual interactions, and the relative importance of color and odor in mate recognition in the sexually dimorphic butterfly
There were significant differences in the average number of C. cyane cyane males approaching and courting females and males when presented with both winged models and paper models, indicating that males could distinguish the gender of conspecifics using visual cues alone
Summary
The courtship behavior of butterflies poses many interesting ecological questions. An understanding of courtship behavior is essential to any attempt to evaluate the evolution of sexual dimorphism and the selective consequences of variation between the sexes[1]. Some butterfly wings reflect little or no UV light, and sexual differences in wing size or color enable conspecific mate recognition using visual cues. Both sexes of Pieris rapae rapae L. Some butterfly species have wings which reflect UV light, some show no difference between males and females, and sexual discrimination in these species depends mainly on olfactory cues e.g. Pieris melete Ménétriès (Pieridae)[11]. The aim of this study was: (1) to evaluate whether males rely on wing size and color differences between the sexes to identify females; and (2) to examine whether olfactory cues are involved in the identification of females, and if so, what compounds are involved? The aim of this study was: (1) to evaluate whether males rely on wing size and color differences between the sexes to identify females; and (2) to examine whether olfactory cues are involved in the identification of females, and if so, what compounds are involved? Analyzing the visual and olfactory cues used by male C. cyane cyane should help to deepen our understanding of sexual interactions, and the relative importance of color and odor in mate recognition in the sexually dimorphic butterfly
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