A review of alar androconial organs in Brassolini butterflies: their diversity and function (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

Abstract

This study presents an illustrated survey of alar androconial organs for 83 species in all 16 genera of Brassolini butterflies using optical microscopy. Male Brassolini possess two types of androconia: lamellar scales that may or may not be associated with glandular cells, and piliform scales that likely aid in the dissemination of secretions. Androconial scales found on the forewings (dorsal and ventral surfaces) and hind wings (dorsal surface) are usually located on the wing membrane, but some taxa also have androconia on the wing veins. While Dynastor and Orobrassolis apparently lack alar androconial organs, the number found in other genera vary from one in Brassolis and Penetes to ten in Opoptera. Some of these structures are unique to particular genera and others are shared, not necessarily by sister taxa. Hind wing androconial organs are not distributed haphazardly, but mostly occur in particular wing cells. The association between androconial organs that seemingly work in concert is discussed.