Jlau — Sexual Selection Experiments in Cecropia Moth. 289 



Object. — ^To see which of two males of exact age, one 

 deformed and having already mated, the other a large, 

 beautiful insect and still unmated, will be chosen by the 

 female. 



Behavior. — Male 62 is clinging to the wires of the cage when the 

 others are introduced. He has left off mating only 2 hours ago, but 

 at the "sight" of this virgin female, his wings begin to flutter rapidly. 

 The female does likewise, while male 63, resting on the floor, moves 

 the wings slowly. Male 62 seems extremely eager to remate, for he 

 now flutters to the female, striking her several times, but she creeps 

 uearer and nearer to male 63. Now male 62 flutters wildly about the 

 bottom of the cage, while directly above bim clings the female, vibrat- 

 ing her wings with great rapidity. After a short pause, male 62 

 resumes the excited fluttering and gradually makes his way nearer to 

 the female. Having reached her, he beats his wings against hers and 

 often touches her abdomen with his own. Soon he becomes quiet, and 

 male 63 takes up the commotion, throwing himself first against the 

 female, then against the other male. Fluttering excitedly about tbe 

 cage, he finally settles down directly in front of the female and 

 majestically moves his wings. The female coldly ignores him. He 

 draws closer to her, and violently flaps his wings against hers. — 12:30. 

 After eight minutes of this agitation, all become quiet with male 63 

 very close to the female. The indications are that these two will 

 mate. — 8:00 A. M. The female found in copulo with male 62. 



This also shows that it is possible for a male which 

 is young and has just left off mating to mate a second 

 time witli a young female. It further shows that the 

 female may mate with a deformed, already mated male 

 instead of a beautiful unmated one of identical age. 



Experiment 16.— May 4, 10 -.00 A. M. 



9 81. Age 1 day 17:02 hours. Wings slightly damaged. 

 5 82. Age 1 day 17:02 hours. 

 cJ74. Age 1 day 19:25 hours. 



Object. — AVill a male, having the choice of two females 

 of exactly the same age, select the perfect insect or the 

 one with damaged wings? 



Results. — 2:30 P. M. The male found in copulo with female 82, the 

 normal moth. 



