Data from: Behavioural mimicry in flight path of Batesian intraspecific polymorphic butterfly Papilio polytes

Batesian mimics that show similar colouration to unpalatable models gain a fitness advantage such as reduced predation. They often exhibit behaviour similar to their models, and enhance their protection against predation by mimicking not only the model’s behaviour but also colouration. In butterflies, there is a strong correlation between palatability and flight velocity, but there is only weak correlation between palatability and flight path. Little is known about how Batesian mimics fly. Here, we explored the flight behaviour of four butterfly species/morph: unpalatable model Pachliopta aristolochiae, mimetic and non-mimetic females of female-limited mimic Papilio polytes, and palatable control Papilio xuthus. We demonstrated that the directional change (DC) generated by wingbeats and the variance of directional change (VDC) of mimetic females and their models were smaller than those of non-mimetic females and palatable controls. Furthermore, we found no significant difference in flight velocity among all species/morphs. By showing that DC and VDC of mimetic females resemble those of models, we provide the first evidence for the existence of behavioural mimicry in flight path by a Batesian mimic butterfly. Our study also provides the insight that complexity of flight path is possibly more important than flight velocity in escape from predation.