Ethogram of mating and male mate-locating strategy of Papilio peranthus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) at Gita Persada butterfly park, Lampung, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Research report on the ecological and behavioral aspects of swallowtail butterfly Papilio peranthus is very limited. This study was aimed to deepen understanding on the reproductive behavior of P. peranthus. Observation of mating behavior was made by releasing virgin males and females into a flight cage. Behavioral activities of the insects were observed visually aided by video cameras. Three experimental trials were applied namely one male met one female; three males met one female; and one male met three females. The results depicted in an ethogram that involves male behavioral acts such as flying for searching female, pursuing, hovering and touching female for courting, mounting and grasping the female, flying in tandem to seek a safe perch, relaxed bellow the female upon manage to insert his clasper, and withdrew from pairs and flew away upon finishing copulation. The male mate-locating strategy developed by butterfly P. peranthus is patrolling. Keywords: Swallowtail butterfly, Papilio peranthus, mating behavior, mate-locating strategy, courtship behavior, behavioral ethogram