Seasonal Change in Flight Behaviour of the Satyrine Butterfly Lethe diana (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae)

概要

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Seasonal change in the flight behaviour of the satyrine butterfly Lethe diana was studied. The flight activity of this species had two peaks a day, with one peak in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The time of the peaks changed seasonally. L. diana flew late morning and early afternoon in spring and autumn, whereas early morning and late afternoon in summer. Consequently, flight occurred at the time of moderate temperature. The seasonal difference in temperatures at peaks of flight activity was slight. However, the temperatures at peaks in spring and autumn were still lower than those recorded in summer. The flight courses of the butterflies covered sunlit areas in spring but were limited to shaded areas in summer. Basking occurred in spring and autumn in order to increase body temperature by absorbing solar radiation. Changes in the time of flight activity and utilization of the solar radiation ensured thermoregulation under seasonally changing thermal conditions.
2000-12-25