DELAYED OVARIAN DEVELOPMENT AND AESTIVATION IN ADULT FEMALES OF <i>HETERONYMPHA MEROPE MEROPE</i> (LEPIDOPTERA: SATYRINAE)

Abstract

Abstract There are strong indications that in New South Wales there is a delay in ovarian development in females of Heteronympha merope merope (Lepidoptera: Satyrinae) and in addition, under hot conditions, aestivation may occur. A similar delay in ovarian development is indicated in H. mirifica but is probably not accompanied by aestivation. In both species females copulate soon after emergence, and adult males do not aestivate. Delayed ovarian development and aestivation, which have not previously been recorded in Australian Papilionoidea, are discussed in relation to climate.