www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I took these videos today and have notice similar behaviour quite alot in the past few weeks. Is it common for male to try "wrestle" female like this? I have seen it in past, bu the brambles get them caught up and they fly off.

http://www.zshare.net/video/2051728764c0c9/

there was around 7-8 males and two females in area at time.

It is common for Green-veined Whites and Small Whites to "wrestle" females. In both species the male settles beside the female, and then uses his outspread wings to force the female to tilt over into a position where she is accessible for copulation. The male is sometimes seen to use his forelegs to pull the female by her wings.

Usually, immediately after copulating, the male carries the female in flight to a nearby bush, or sometimes to a nectar source. The pair usually half-open their wings whilst copulated, so they can reflect solar energy onto the dark thorax and abdomen, which probably shortens the time needed to transfer the sperm and complete the copulation process.

When a male encounters a female that has already mated, the female opens her wings, and raises her abdomen at an angle of about 40 degrees, as a rejection signal. Males usually persist for a while before they get the message.

Lots more about butterfly courtship rituals etc at :

http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com

"promoting the conservation of butterflies and their habitats worldwide"
"entertaining and educating butterfly enthusiasts at every level"

Thanks. Thats good to know this is normal behaviour.