The male butterfly I'd been following alights next to the female
Grayling Behaviour
Grayling Behaviour
Noting the interest recently generated by the extraordinary mating trio of Graylings, I have looked through my photos and compiled a sequence which follows the attempted courtship of the female by a third male whilst she was already "in cop" with the other two.
The male butterfly I'd been following alights next to the femaleThis causes some agitation in the female and the other male butterfliesThe newcomer concentrates his attention on the female, approaching her face-to-faceHe opens his wings, and here he appears to dip his antennae in the scent scales on his forewings as he bows towards the female. His genitalia appear poised for action tooHe settles back and bows again, twice moreThe male then moves round towards the back of the female, which causes her to open her wingsAs he attempts to move in from behind, the other males become very agitatedHe now discovers that the object of his desires is firmly attached to not one, but two other male butterfliesDisappointed, he departs, leaving the curious and unusual trio in peace Dave
The male butterfly I'd been following alights next to the femaleThis causes some agitation in the female and the other male butterfliesThe newcomer concentrates his attention on the female, approaching her face-to-faceHe opens his wings, and here he appears to dip his antennae in the scent scales on his forewings as he bows towards the female. His genitalia appear poised for action tooHe settles back and bows again, twice moreThe male then moves round towards the back of the female, which causes her to open her wingsAs he attempts to move in from behind, the other males become very agitatedHe now discovers that the object of his desires is firmly attached to not one, but two other male butterfliesDisappointed, he departs, leaving the curious and unusual trio in peace Dave
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Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: Grayling Behaviour
What an adventure! Good story line, Dave, and an interesting sequence of photos.
Cheers, Chris
Cheers, Chris
Re: Grayling Behaviour
Yes excellant stuff Dave. I have one question: In the 5th picture you say he appears to dip his own antennae onto his scent patch. Looking at the picture and comparing it to the next picture it looks like that its the females antennae brushing his scent patch which I guess would make more sense.
It's interesting, and something thats not occurred to me before, that your pictures show the positioning of the scent patches perfectly match the natural positioning of the females anteannae when he opens his wings at the right angle. All he has to do to a receptive female is lunge forward to give the female a maximum dose of pheromones, natures clever!
It's interesting, and something thats not occurred to me before, that your pictures show the positioning of the scent patches perfectly match the natural positioning of the females anteannae when he opens his wings at the right angle. All he has to do to a receptive female is lunge forward to give the female a maximum dose of pheromones, natures clever!
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Grayling Behaviour
You're right, Buggy - that must be the female's antenna. They do indeed match the position of the scent scales perfectly. She must have been completely doolally with all those male pheromones around!
Dave
Dave
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Testudo Man
- Posts: 494
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: Kent
Re: Grayling Behaviour
Incredible photos/bahavioural account shown here.