Female visits to male territory and mating in two theclini species (Lycaenidae)

Abstract

In theclini species, the behavior of males has been widely investigated, whereas that of females has been almost unreported due to their cryptic habits. Here, during a survey of the territorial behavior of Favonius taxila and Chrysozephyrus smaragdinus males, some cases of female visits to territories occupied by males and their mating were observed. In the former species, two females visited male territories and copulated with their owners. In addition, a virgin female artificially introduced into a territory was inferred to mate with its owner. In the latter species, four females entered male territories, and three of them were inferred to mate with the males in the woods. In these observations, the entry of a female into a vacant territorial area, and a direct flight by a female towards a male with his brilliant wings opened, as if she was attracted to his color, were observed. Finally, it is suggested that in these species, visiting of male territories by females for mating often takes place.