Grayling Behaviour
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 11:06 pm
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 female This causes some agitation in the female and the other male butterflies The newcomer concentrates his attention on the female, approaching her face-to-face He 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 too He settles back and bows again, twice more The male then moves round towards the back of the female, which causes her to open her wings As he attempts to move in from behind, the other males become very agitated He now discovers that the object of his desires is firmly attached to not one, but two other male butterflies Disappointed, he departs, leaving the curious and unusual trio in peace Dave
The male butterfly I'd been following alights next to the female This causes some agitation in the female and the other male butterflies The newcomer concentrates his attention on the female, approaching her face-to-face He 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 too He settles back and bows again, twice more The male then moves round towards the back of the female, which causes her to open her wings As he attempts to move in from behind, the other males become very agitated He now discovers that the object of his desires is firmly attached to not one, but two other male butterflies Disappointed, he departs, leaving the curious and unusual trio in peace Dave