INTERSEXUAL COMPARISON OF MIMETIC PROTECTION IN THE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY, PAPILIO POLYXENES: EXPERIMENTS WITH CAPTIVE BLUE JAY PREDATORS

Abstract

The black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes asterius Stoll), is commonly assumed to exhibit female-limited Batesian mimicry of the aposematic pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor [L.]), since the dorsal wing surfaces of P. polyxenes females, but not males, resemble those of the model. However, the ventral wing surface is monomorphic and closely resembles that of the model in both sexes. Thus both sexes of P. polyxenes should benefit from mimicry during periods of ventral surface exposure, such as during overnight roosting and other times of high predatory risk. Eight blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata L.) were offered ventrally and dorsally exposed butterfly prey items in an outdoor aviary. Model-conditioned birds refused male and female P. polyxenes equally when the butterflies were presented ventrally. However, significantly more males than females were attacked when the dimorphic dorsum was visible. Both sexes are thus similarly protected when the ventral wing surface is displayed during roosting. The high degree of bird-to-bird variability in response to P. polyxenes mimics suggests that there is a spectrum in ability or willingness of predators to discriminate among mimics of varying similarity to the model. Sexual dimorphism of the dorsal surface of P. polyxenes wings may reflect sexual selection favoring males that are recognizable as satisfactory mates or intrasexual competitors.