[Movie File] Scent marking behavior of Parantica sita

[Movie File] Scent marking behavior of Parantica sita　

Males of Chestnut Tiger (Parantica sita) are known to have this behavior which is closely related to the mating behavior. The male scrubs the scent scales on the hindwing by the tip of his abdomen. The hairpencil on the tip of abdomen is exposed. It is assumed that the male collects scent scales which give off some pheromone on his hairpencil. When the male try to mate the female, he uses the hairpencil with the pheromone. Thus this behavior can be explained as the preparation for the mating. Interestingly males sometimes flutter their wings as if they try to cause the pheromone to permeate.

(Ishigaki-jima, Okinawa, JAPAN June 2010 / Okinawajima, Okinawa, JAPAN Oct. 2009)

 

▲A male flutters its wings as if he tries to cause the pheromone to permeate

▲The yellow hairpencil on the tip of the abdomen is exposed