Schematic of the possible process of evolution of the sphragis in butterflies. This assumes a selective landscape where females benefit materially from polyandry and males are continually improving plug-removing ability.

 
 
  Part of: Carvalho APS, Orr AG, Kawahara AY (2017) A review of the occurrence and diversity of the sphragis in butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea). ZooKeys 694: 41-70. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.694.13097