Abstract
STRIDE1,2 has shown that the males of Hypolimnas misippus (Nymphalidae) court artificial test insects with orange hind wings more actively than they court test insects with white hind wings. He gives evidence to suggest that white on the hind wings inhibits courtship, and suggests that this negative sexual selection is the reason why a white hind-winged form of Hypolimnas misippus has not become abundant in West Africa where it is protected by its mimetic resemblance to the white hindwinged Danaus chrysippus. His conclusions were based on the responses of free-living males towards dead and artificial test insects. This report is based on observations of free living individuals of both sexes.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Stride, G. O., Brit. J. Anim. Behav., 4, 52 (1956).
Stride, G. O., Brit. J. Anim. Behav., 5, 153 (1957).
Stride, G. O., Brit. J. Anim. Behav., 6, 224 (1958).
Edmunds, M., Heredity (in the press, 1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
EDMUNDS, M. Evidence for Sexual Selection in the Mimetic Butterfly Hypolimnas misippus L.. Nature 221, 488 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/221488a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/221488a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.