Butterflies - Sexual Dimorphism

Strategies for Survival

1 - Mate recognition	6 - Roosting behaviour
2 - Camouflage & Disguise	7 - Seasonal dimorphism
3 - Aposematic & Diematic colouration	8 - Chemical warfare
4 - Mimicry	9 - Hibernation & Aestivation
5 - Sexual 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 however are more sedentary, tending to move very little until mated. Afterwards it may take them several days to lay all of their eggs so it is vital to minimise the likelihood of being attacked by a predator. Consequently it is advantageous for females to have drabber and more cryptic colouration.

Lysandra bellargus - male © Adrian Hoskins

Lysandra bellargus - female © Adrian Hoskins

Intrasexual competition

Another reason for the evolution of bright colourful males is that males are in competition with each other. Hingston argues that male butterflies engage in "psychological warfare, a battle of bravado, gesticulation and threat", 'their colours are their weapons".

When males meet they usually indulge in fierce and often prolonged territorial battles. These waste valuable time and energy that would be better devoted to the pursuit of females. If a male could recognise other males from a distance he could avoid unnecessary battles, and hasten his chances of finding and mating with a female. Bright colours are more easily seen from a distance, so it is feasible that males evolved brighter colours so they could recognise and avoid their own sex.

Next >>

Contact / About me

Butterfly-watching holidays

Trip reports

UK latest sightings

Frequently asked questions

Enemies of butterflies

Survival strategies

Migration & dispersal

Habitats - UK / Palaearctic

Habitats - Tropical rainforests

Butterfly world census

Butterflies of the World :

Moths of the World :

Saturniidae - Silkmoths

Caterpillars of the World

Insects of Amazonia

Butterfly Photography

All photographs, artwork, text & website design are the property of Adrian Hoskins ( unless otherwise stated ) and are protected by Copyright. Photographs or text on this website must not be reproduced in part or in whole or published elsewhere without prior written consent of Adrian Hoskins / learnaboutbutterflies.com

Site hosted by Just Host