What is this chap doing?

[Pete Eeles]

Hi all.
I've attempted to add video to this thread but UKbutterflies doesn't seem to recognise the new code for embedded video on YouTube or the old code if added between the video tags. (please let me know if I'm doing it wrong Pete) so no direct video but here's a link to show what the discussion is about. This was taken at Millersdale Station in Derbyshire using an old video camera. Please follow the link.

http://youtu.be/W8RLqI59mKc

Hi Paul - you need to use the following code (replace video2 with video):

[video2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8RLqI59mKc[/video2]

Here's the result:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8RLqI59mKc[/video]

[Paul Wetton]

Hi Pete

I just sussed it out but you beat me to it. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.

This Common Blue is obviously not a freshly emerged individual so may have been having a wash and brush up of his genitalia following some extra curricula activity. I didn't witness the before only the after if that was the case.

[Lee Hurrell]

Lee,

Yes you're right: Following emergence and the inflation of the wings, butterflies excrete a fluid known as meconium which is the waste material from the pupal stage. However, the secretion of a jet of meconium does not involve the flexing of the claspers in this fashion. The claspers are part of the sexual organs where as meconium is secreted from the vent of the insect.

Thanks Felix

Cheers

Lee

[Dave McCormick]

Just saw a grey pine carpet doing the same thing today, was sitting on a leaf and noticed it, wondered what it was but that clears that up, or out as the case may be!

[Michaeljf]

Oh-er missus. Perhaps they're practice moves. Is he going 'on the pull'? The butterfly version of late 70's John Travolta of the grassfloor?

[Trev Sawyer]

Thanks Paul,
I'm just glad there is no sound to the video.

[Paul Wetton]

Sound is set on minimum and can be turned up.

Any post antic noises from him are masked by the bird song in the background tho.

I notice with butterflies the female soon disappears. No cuddling or cigarette.