Abstract
Female Papilio glaucus L. may be either black or yellow, whereas males are monomorphic yellow. The black females are Batesian mimics of the pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor L., and they predominate where the model is common. Quantitative measurements were made of the insemination frequency, egg production, and relative age of both black and yellow females. The results showed no significant differences between the 2 morphs, suggesting that preferential mating of yellow females and longevity of black morphs are not factors in maintaining the dimorphism. The persistence of the black morph in areas where the model is rare or absent may indicate gene flow from other populations or the existence of positive selective value associated with melanism other than mimicry. The problem of sexual selection is discussed with respect to the characteristics of courtship in Lepidoptera.
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