Directive coloration

Pronunciation
/di-rek-tiv kol-or-ay-shun/
Category
Behavior

Definition

Color patterns in insects that are specifically designed to signal or elicit a response from another organism, often including potential mates.

Etymology

From Latin 'directivus', meaning 'directing', and 'color' + 'ation'.

Example

The bright, iridescent coloration of male butterflies often serves as a directive signal to attract females.

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