Reproductive behaviour of the white-tailed zygaenid moth,Elcysma westwoodii (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae) I. Mating sequence

The mating behaviour of the white-tailed zygaenid moth,Elcysma westwoodii, was observed. During the morning in the breeding season, males fly in search of females. It seems that females release sex pheromone and that olfaction is important in the search, although the moth is diurnal. In mating behaviour, males often gather to a female. Some factors which cause male gathering are considered: 1) high density of male moths, 2) males' tendency to be...