Intersexual Differences in Behaviour and Resource Use of Specialist Phengaris teleius Butterflies

Simple Summary In this study, we compared intersexual differences in behaviour and resource use of well-known Scarce Large Blue butterflies. The results indicated that females take short, but exceptionally regular flights, exploring available resources for oviposition. Males took longer, less regular flights, characterised by frequent interactions in search for receptive females. Interestingly, interactions between conspecific butterflies of the investigated species lasted significantly longer than with other species, especially when different sexes were involved. This suggests that individuals were able to quickly and efficiently recognise potential mating partners. Finally, the focal species showed strong association with its larval host plant while resting and nectaring, and less so with other plants with similarly coloured and shaped flowers. Females were particularly strongly restricted to the larval host plant, which provides some evidence that their sensory system shows neural limitation towards this valuable resource. Although the behaviour of the Large Blue butterflies of the genus Phengaris (= Maculinea) is relatively well studied, most empirical data come from investigations of their dispersal and oviposition. Here, we assessed overall intersexual differences in resource use by tracking Phengaris teleius (Bergstrasser, 1779) individuals and recording the duration of their behaviours. Females were characterised by frequent, short flights, and devoted more time to resting and oviposition. Males engaged in numerous, but usually short interactions, and spent most of the time in flight exploring their surroundings for receptive females. Their average flight time was significantly longer compared to females. Average feeding time did not differ between the sexes but was shorter when butterflies were feeding on Sanguisorba officinalis L. Intraspecific interactions within P. teleius were three times longer than those with other insect species, and interactions between sexes were particularly long lasting. Significantly shorter interspecific interactions imply that butterflies can easily recognise conspecifics and differentiate between sexes, which offers obvious fitness benefits. Both sexes, but especially females, showed strong association with their larval host plant, and less so with other flowers of similar colour and shape. Females predominantly used their host plant for feeding, which possibly indicates neuro-sensory constraints towards this resource.

Automated summary

In this study, intersexual differences in behavior and resource use of Scarce Large Blue butterflies were compared. The results showed that females took short, regular flights whereas males took longer, less regular flights with frequent interactions to find receptive females. Interactions between conspecific butterflies lasted longer than with other species, indicating quick recognition of potential mating partners. The butterflies showed strong association with their larval host plant and had neural limitations towards this resource. The study provides empirical data on the behavior and resource use of Large Blue butterflies.