Habitat Selection, Mate Location, and Microclimatic Constraints on the Activity of the Speckled Wood Butterfly Pararge Aegeria

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Abstract
The habitat selection and mate locating strategies of a woodland population of P. aegeria (L.) were studied in relation to climatic conditions which can affect activity. At low air temperatures most individuals bask on rides, open areas with high basking site temperatures. With increasing air temperature individuals use as basking sites sunlit patches within woodland which are lower in temperature than rides. Individuals alternate between basking and flying but spend longer periods in flight when air temperatures are highest. Mate locating strategies of males alternate between perching and patrolling, and are not as rigid as previously suggested. Patrolling males locate females at a faster rate than perched males but flights are restricted by the necessity to maintain high body temperatures. After periods of basking, thoracic temperatures are in the range 32.degree.-34.5.degree. C but flight causes a significant decrease in body temperature.