Unusual mating behaviour of Acraea issoria (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): Pre-mature mating and clinging behavior

Abstract :

This paper deals with two unusual mating behaviors viz. pre-mature mating and clinging, observed in Asian Acraea issoria. Female were found mating soon after eclosion before first flight. In pre-mature mating, the male locates the female imago just after its emergence and copulate by grasping her abdomen with claspers. Clinging behavior was observed with maximum three males to a copulating pair. Rival males clinging to freshly mating pair was successful to separate male while unsuccessful male waits for completion of copulation in spite of female ignorance. Chances of re-mating were not occurred.


Keyword :

Competition, yellow coster, mating behaviour, Nepal, Asia


Author(s) : Sharma, M., Oli, B. R.
Downloads : 39
Published Issue : 2021 Vol. 16 Number 1


2021 Vol. 16 Number 1