Behavioural Thermoregulation by High Arctic Butterflies

Reports summer 1967-68 observations and experimental temperature measurements made at Hazen and Gilman Camps, northern Ellesmere Island, on Colias helca, Boloria chariclea and B. polaris, Lycaena feildeni and Plebius aquilo. In order to utilize direct isolation to increase their body temperatures, t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ARCTIC
Main Authors: Kevan, P.G., Shorthouse, J.D.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1970
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/66233
Description
Summary:Reports summer 1967-68 observations and experimental temperature measurements made at Hazen and Gilman Camps, northern Ellesmere Island, on Colias helca, Boloria chariclea and B. polaris, Lycaena feildeni and Plebius aquilo. In order to utilize direct isolation to increase their body temperatures, they selected basking substrates and precisely oriented their wings with respect to the sun. High arctic butterflies are most often found in a warm, relatively windless, sheltered places where on sunny days they fly in the warmest air close to the ground. Their wing morphology, venation, color, hairiness and physiology are briefly discussed. Comportement thermo-régulatoire des papillons du haut Arctique. Chez cinq espèces de papillons trouvés au lac Hazen (81º49'N, 71º18'W), île d'Ellesmere, Territoires du Nord-Ouest, le comportement thermo-régulatoire est une importante adaptation. Ces papillons arctiques se servent de l'insolation directe pour augmenter la température de leur corps: ils choisissent des sous-strates réchauffantes et orientent leurs ailes de façon précise par rapport au soleil. Quelques expériences ont confirmé l'importance de ce fait. On discute brièvement de la morphologie alaire, de la couleur, de la pilosité et de la physiologie de ces insectes.