Abstract

The Lepidoptera, i.e. the generally diurnal butterflies and nocturnal moths, are probably the most popular and best-known insect order because of their large and conspicuous wings. However, our understanding of the ecological functions of wing patterns is still incomplete. Thermoregulation by sunbasking, crypsis and Batesian and Müllerian mimicry have been shown to be important in a number of species (Vane-