Inter-species pairings

[Pete Eeles]

I've selected some examples of inter-species pairings from UKB members: in this case, between the Meadow Brown and several other species. Meadow Brown really don't seem to care! I thought it was interesting that it's not confined to one of the sexes - sometimes the Meadow Brown is male, and sometimes female. I'd be interested in hearing of any other examples that members might have. Who knows - there may be an article in this!

Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell (by William)

Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell (by Essex Bertie)

Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper (by William)

Meadow Brown and Ringlet (by sandraandkevin)

Meadow Brown and Silver-washed Fritillary (by essexbuzzard)

Cheers,

- Pete

[ScottD]

I've seen Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell.

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Scott - very interesting. I guess you don't have a photo, else you would have posted it!

So - Small Tortoiseshell is currently 2nd in the league of "most promiscuous butterfly'"

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

I should say that the "Bad Species" paper, which covers this topic, is a classic!

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/taxome/jim/pap/des ... 0print.pdf

Cheers,

- Pete

[William]

I seem to be fated with finding these oddities !

I had a general mosey around looking at hybrids and things,

Polonus,
Darwin's/Alpine Heath,
Southern/Spanish Festoon
Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow/Clouded Yellow

Though these are hybrids between closely related species rather than dramatic mixed pairings like these.

BWs,

William

Edit: Your paper seems to cover most of these and many more besides - fascinating stuff!

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks William,

Yes, I think there have been lots of observations over the years, especially within Europe. I should have mentioned polonus, although I've never seen photographic evidence of the parents "in cop"

Cheers,

- Pete

[angieseymour1722]

I found Ringlet & Meadow Brown, early July in the Peak District - Derbyshire ...see pic..

[Bill S]

Wow I totally did not realise that happens. I'm sure I've seen that in the past but have always put it down to mis-identification on my part.

Bill

[Vince Massimo]

One more here http://www.flickr.com/photos/49562769@N ... 29073@N22/
Meadow Brown (male) with a Marbled White (female), originally posted by Chris here viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6904

Vince

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Vince ... Meadow Brown are getting a bad reputation based on this thread

Cheers,

- Pete

[David M]

I think it would take something extreme to make me actually capture a butterfly, but if I saw a Meadow Brown and Ringlet engaged in authentic 'cop', I confess there'd be part of me that would like to transport the female back home to watch her lay eggs and follow the progress of what came next.

[bugboy]

Not going to be able to look at a Meadow Brown in the same way again, in fact the next time one flutters in my direction I'm going to keep a very close eye on the dirty little bugger!

[Mike p]

Here`s another one.
Gatekeeper ringlet.
Gatekeeper trying to mate a ringlet. by poacher rtd, on Flickr