observations/behaviour

[celery]

Re: pauline's excellent observation about the colour of antennae on large skippers...

I noted with interest Pete's desire that in the forums there should be perhaps less of a focus on photography and more on observations and bevahiour.

So I thought I'd try to meet him halfway by including some photographic observations of behaviour

Here's a montage of snaps of two male silver-studded blues from Prees Heath (19-06-11). I'm sure many of the more learned and experienced members on here can descibe exactly what appears to be happening... suffice to say they seem to be attempting a kind of 'male-bonding' session.


'cuddling' males

Seriously though, the number of males to females on display was hugely disproportionate (as also noted by David M - who visited on the same day, and made an excellent report in the June sightings thread) even taking into account the females more 'secretive' behaviour. Are they, indeed, doing what I think they're doing and is this kind of thing relatively common?

I have better quality (and more) photos if anyone needs to see them. If anyone else wants to contribute observations and behaviour of other species, or sites, or anything, feel free to use this thread (until/unless Pete sets up something more formal). cheers, celery

[Piers]

Seriously though, the number of males to females on display was hugely disproportionate even taking into account the females more 'secretive' behaviour.

Celery,

Your visit was at the start of the season. The emergence of SSB's is a protracted affair, and males certainly tend to emerge first. Any SSB colony visited during the start of the emergence period will seem to be predominantly males. Having said that, the males will always out number the females to a degree.

Are they, indeed, doing what I think they're doing and is this kind of thing relatively common?

Yes. It could be that the male on the (ahem) receiving end has recently mated with a female himself and is carrying female scent all over him.

I have witnessed on more than one occasion 'gangs' of male SSB's attempting to mate with a single female, as well as females already in cop; and in the frenzy the males seem to become quickly confused and/or blinded by their ardour.

Great set of images capturing this behaviour Celery.

Piers.

[Susie]

I am sure many of you have seen male butterflies trying to mate with recently emerged male butterflies who can't escape because they are unable to fly. They can't have any female scent on them but perhaps they have a scent of a "fresh" butterfly which the males find attractive. I know I have witnessed this on many occasions. My own conclusions are that randy young males will try and mate with anything which doesn't fight back until they work out the bits don't fit, but I could be wrong.

[P.J.Underwood]

I agree entirely with Peter's desire.How easy it is to spend all the time on taking a photo and not realising what is actually happening.From my study of Arctic butterflies I am aware that in these species every piece of heat is vital to their survival.So they lie flat against rocks to gain ultimate warmth,and they adopt a position so they are getting the maximum amount of sun's rays on their wings.This behaviour seemed to be intrinsic in the red admiral I saw in Oaken wood yesterday.Conditions were not that warm,but the sun was out.It was entirely flat-getting as close to the log as it could,and it moved around until the sun was falling at right angles on to its wings.All my photo's are taken with telephoto lenses from about 2 metres away so I don't need to intrude on the butterfly's space and can nearly always take it from a path.I abandoned my macro lens some time ago.
P.J.U.

[Susie]

Indeed. Butterflies are so clever that not only will they angle their wings to catch the sun's rays when cold they will also close their wings and turn end on to lessen the amount of wing catching the sun when it is hot so they don't over heat.

BTW, this is a great thread, Celery. Far more interesting than just "pretty" pictures but, that being said, your photos are damn good.

[Susie]

This green hairstreak doesn't open it's wings to catch the sun rays but does lay down at an angle.

Taken at this forum's trip to Magdalen Down.

[Gibster]

Anybody have any thoughts as to why certain species habitually rest head down? I'm thinking Silver-studded Blues and Brown Argus in particular. A behavioural trait seen most clearly seen in Crambid moths (Grass Veneers - the pale, long ones which flush from underfoot in meadows and always land head-down on a grass stem). Just curious really. It's something I've often puzzled over.

Cheers,

Gibster.

[Susie]

All the blues seem to do that.

Perhaps it is something to do with a surprise attack being more likely to come from above. Better to get your bum bitten (a chunk out of the wings) than your head ripped off.

[Piers]

I am sure many of you have seen male butterflies trying to mate with recently emerged male butterflies who can't escape because they are unable to fly.

Fascinating Susie, in years and years of observing butterflies I have never witnessed this. Amazing stuff.

I watched silver studded blues egg laying last year, that is worth watching. A top tip is that they tend not to oviposit on the larval food plant; but find a lasius nest, or an area where the ants patrol (and is heavy with their scent) and you'll find the eggs.

Piers.

[Piers]

Anybody have any thoughts as to why certain species habitually rest head down? I'm thinking Silver-studded Blues and Brown Argus in particular.

Often they have reversed by dawn and can be found sitting head up.

Piers.

[Gibster]

Yeah, but I'm not going on about roosting individuals. (I once found SEVEN Marbled Whites roosting on the underside of a Shasta Daisy! But that's roosting) Watch a Brown Argus for a while and (apart from being feisty little buggers, I've seen them tackling Gatekeepers!) the other noticeable behaviour is their proclivity to land on a grass stem facing head-downwards. I accept that this is something most blues do from time to time, or even regularly, but Brown Argus seem to almost always perch in this fashion, when they're not harassing another butterfly or sunning themselves that is! Why don't Green Hairstreaks spread their wings? Brown Hairstreak does. Why won't Graylings spread their wings when Meadow Browns do? Why do blues rub their hindwings together but vanessids don't? Sure beats me!

Gibster.

[Susie]

Lots of hairstreaks rub their wings like that too. I've seen green hairstreak do it alot, both male and female, it is such a lovely thing and it seems like they enjoy doing it. The white letter hairstreak did it too the other day. They are all part of the blue family though.

Kipper can confirm but I think I have seen dukes do this too even though they arent the same.

Piers: I am surprised you've never seen it! I have seen it frequently and thought it was a common thing everyone knew. I posted some photos on here a couple of years ago under a thread call, I believe, beginning of a blue, which included a male adonis trying to mate a freshly emerged male adonis who couldnt fly.

Fascinating stuff about ssb and laying on ants nests. I didnt know that.

[Susie]

I had a thought, just the one, about why they may roost head down. Is it easier to take off quickly like that? I assume that when butterflies turn around in the morning that is beacause when they open their wings to catch the morning light they can get a better angle of light on their wings and they judge a quick warm up and the beneficial effect that has on their performance out weighs the benefit of gravity and the quick start it gives them when they jump off and go head down and hand glider like.

[celery]

Piers and Susie - thanks for your replies to my original query... most enlightening

Also, it's very heartening to see other members using the thread for their own observations... more please!

Here's another little thing I spotted at Prees Heath... a small heath with, what to me, seemed an unusually bluish body. Not great photos... The first as part of a group with silver-studded blues. The second... on its own. I haven't altered the colours in any way - in fact the camera doesn't seem to have captured just how truly blue the body and part of the hindwing underside was.

In the species folder there are some examples of small heaths with light-grey areas which seem to reflect the light... but nothing quite as blue as this.

[David M]

I wonder whether the Small Heath has perhaps come into contact with a Silver Studded Blue male (perhaps in a prolonged aerial joust) and picked up some of the blue dusting from his rival.

[P.J.Underwood]

Whoops.Heads down,bottom's up and sideways on to the sun-today..This should help establish the Heath Frits.at Wrecclesham.
P.J.U.

[Gibster]

This should help establish the Heath Frits.at Wrecclesham

HUH???

[millerd]

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5304

This thread should clarify things...

Dave

[John W]

I took this shot of interacting Wood Whites at Botany Bay earlier this year. Has anyone else seen Wood Whites interacting in this way? Is it part of their courtship ritual?

[MikeOxon]

Has anyone else seen Wood Whites interacting in this way?

I took this rather similar photo in Whitecross Green Wood. I had assumed it was courtship behaviour but don't really know.

Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, June1992

Mike