Population ecology and territorial behavior of Heraclides androgeus epidaurus (Godman & Salvin, 1890) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Papilioninae) in Lomas de Galindo, Cuba

Population ecology and behavioral studies provide relevant information useful towards fauna conservation. Here, insights on the population ecology and territorial behavior of a population of Heraclides androgeus epidaurus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in Lomas de Galindo, Mayabeque province, Cuba, is provided. Capture-mark-recapture surveys were conducted during June and July 2019. Population size was estimated through Lincoln’s Modified Index, as well as sex rate, age rate and activity period; we also compared the duration of intraspecific and interspecific interactions. As a result, 57 butterflies were captured and marked, with a population size estimate of 121 ± 17.4 individuals, a sex rate of 29:1 and a similar age rate for the recorded ages. An activity pattern was obtained with a peak around midday and males patrol territories which do not contain resources for females and rather are stablished in areas with higher sex encounter probabilities. No differences were detected in the duration of intraspecific and interspecific interactions likely due to the similar population sizes of the interacting species.