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Colour patterns of Syrphidae. III. Sexual dimorphism in Eristalis arbustorum
Author(s) -
HEAL J. R.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1981.tb00600.x
Subject(s) - biology , sexual dimorphism , mimicry , batesian mimicry , zoology , predation , hymenoptera , sexual selection , ecology , pupa , larva
. 1. The hoverfly Eristalis arbustorum L. (Diptera, Syrphidae) is a sexually dimorphic Batesian mimic of bees and wasps. 2. This dual mimicry entails good mimicry of several small, dark bees (mainly mining bees) by female E.arbustorum , and less specific mimicry of wasps and other yellow and black Hymenoptera by males. 3. There is also variability of colour pattern within both sexes of E.arbustorum . 4. Seasonal fluctuations in the pattern frequencies of males occur because the temperature during pupal development influences the coloration of the adult. 5. Temporal changes in the pattern frequencies of females are attributable to developmental darkening of the abdomen. 6. These effects can be explained by the fact that the phenotypic requirements for thermoregulation and protection against predation will be different for males and females, and will also vary with time. 7. Behavioural differences between males and females are a component of the sexual dimorphism in this species.