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Sun Compass and Wind Drift Compensation in Migrating Butterflies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2001

Robert B. Srygley
Affiliation:
(University of Oxford and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)
and Evandro G. Oliveira
Affiliation:
(Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil)
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Abstract

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Migrating pierid butterflies use a sun compass in order to head in a preferred flight direction. When blown off-course by the wind, butterflies adjust their heading to compensate for cross-track wind drift. They are capable of drift compensation over water when and where landmarks are visible on the shore. They are also capable of a more inaccurate form of drift compensation over the sea when and where landmarks are not visible.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2001 The Royal Institute of Navigation