The evolution of male mate-locating behavior in butterflies

Describes the diversity in encounter-site locations and in the behavior of males at encounter sites and attempts to reveal the evolutionary patterns in this diversity by assessing the ecological correlates of various tactics. For species that pupate on the larval food plant and that feed on relatively large larval food plants, males focus their mate locating efforts on the larval food plant. Otherwise, males use non-resource-based encounter sites such as hilltops or landmarks in the environment. The ecological correlates of the behavior of males at encounter sites are examined with respect to site tenacity, time of day when encounter sites are visited, occurrence of site defense, and the behavior when waiting (perch or fly). These variables should be considered separately in that they may evolve independently. -from Author