Question:

Sex determination in butterflies is:

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In birds and butterflies, females are heterogametic.
For butterflies specifically, remember that they predominantly show the ZZ-ZO mechanism, where females have one less chromosome than males.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • XX-XY type
  • XX-XO type
  • ZZ-ZW type
  • ZZ-ZO type
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to identify the specific mechanism of sex determination that is characteristic of butterflies.

Step 2: Key Concept and Approach:
Sex determination systems vary across animal taxa.
While mammals and some insects use the XX-XY or XX-XO systems (where males are heterogametic), birds, reptiles, and many lepidopterans (butterflies and moths) utilize systems where females are heterogametic (such as ZZ-ZW or ZZ-ZO).

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Heterogametic Females: In butterflies, females are the heterogametic sex, meaning they produce two different types of gametes with respect to sex chromosomes.

ZZ-ZO System: In many butterfly species, females have only one sex chromosome (designated as ZO), while males have two identical sex chromosomes (designated as ZZ).

Offspring Outcome: During gametogenesis, males produce sperm containing only Z chromosomes.
Females produce two types of eggs: $50\%$ containing a Z chromosome, and $50\%$ containing no sex chromosome (O).
An egg with a Z chromosome fertilized by a Z sperm develops into a male (ZZ), whereas an egg with no sex chromosome fertilized by a Z sperm develops into a female (ZO).


Step 4: Final Answer:
Thus, the sex determination system in butterflies is of the ZZ-ZO type, corresponding to Option (D).
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