Common blue butterflies (
Polyommatus icarus) sequester flavonoids from their larval host plants and allocate these UV-absorbing pigments to the wings. In field experiments
using dummies constructed from female butterflies, mate-searching males inspected flavonoid-rich dummies more intensively
than those with little or no flavonoids. Flavonoid content as signalled by UV-wing pattern may indicate ontogenetically determined
female quality or enhance detectability to males.
Received: 21 March 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 17 May 2000