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Strategies for
Survival
PAGE 5
PAGE 1 - MATE RECOGNITION
PAGE 2 - CAMOUFLAGE and
DISGUISE
PAGE 3 - APOSEMATIC
COLOURATION
PAGE 4
- MIMICRY
PAGE 5
- SEXUAL DIMORPHISM
PAGE 6 - ROOSTING BEHAVIOUR
PAGE 7 - SEASONAL DIMORPHISM
Sexual dimorphism
In many species, such as the Adonis Blue
Lysandra bellargus,
the males are much more brightly coloured than the females.
One reason for this is that males are constantly flying in search of mates, so they need to advertise their
presence.
Females on the other hand are
generally passive, tending to move very little until mated.
Afterwards
they spend most of their time crawling about on the ground amongst
short grasses, looking for places to lay their eggs, and their drab
colouration helps them to escape the notice of insectivorous birds.
Lysandra bellargus
- male
Males fly actively in search of females, so they run the risk
of being attacked by birds. The brilliant blue colouration of
the upperside alternates with the drab disruptive colouration
of the underside, and has the effect of confusing avian
predators. A bird chases a blue butterfly, but as soon as it
settles it effectively disappears, and the butterfly escapes
detection.
Lysandra bellargus
- female
Females lead very sedentary lives, crawling slowly about
amongst the grasses in search of places to lay their eggs.
However they need to bask in order to raise their body
temperatures. A dull brown butterfly basking amongst soil and
grasses is much harder for a bird to spot than a blue one.
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