Abstract:
The effects of the female postmating odour on male sexual behaviour were examined in
Heliconius erato and H. charithonia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Predictions from the antiaphrodisiac
hypothesis were tested using the two reproductive strategies of these species. Within the pupal mating
strategy, results from behavioural experiments quantified and statistically tested dispersal rates of
pupal-perched males to the presence of stimuli with and without the postmating odour. Results do not
support an antiaphrodisiac function to the postmating odour. Similarly, within the adult courtship
strategy, behavioural test results indicate that males do not alter their expenditure of energy in terms of
either the duration or frequency of courtship behaviours elicited by females with and without the
postmating odour. The data from both experiments did not support the antiaphrodisiac hypothesis for
the function of the female postmating odour. A novel hypothesis predicting that the postmating female
odour acts as an oviposition-deterring pheromone is presented.
