Butterfly Territoriality and patrolling

Butterfly Territoriality and patrolling

Territorial behaviour is well developed in several species of butterflies . It is an adaptation for the increased chance of success in the search for a partner and for ensuring both protection and food for the offspring . It is one of the two primary mate-location strategies , the other being partroling , male butterflies fly purposefully through the habitat in search of receptive females.

In territorial behaviour , the male (holder) will perch on a vantage point ,’’throne ‘’ like tree tops to survey the sourrounding area which may be as 1000 sq. m. It chases away any intruder , generally a member of the same sex and species as the holder . If the holder is removed , the throne would be occupied rapidly by the next male flying in to the area . When theh suitable female is sighed , courting normally begins . So the territorial behaviour is purely reproductive in purpose in butterflies .

Hilltopping is another phenomenon observed in butterfly species inhabiting mountains. In such species , males perch on hill tops or ridge tops ( hence the name ) as sites for awaiting the arrival of receptive females . Virgin females may fly to these areas for mating and then leave for places of larval hast plants to lay eggs. Males will remain in the perching sites for most of their life , leaving only periodically to visit nectar sources.

Flight