Summer of Love

 

It looks as though we're going to have plenty of butterflies later this Summer, and plenty of caterpillars for the birds to eat, judging by amorous goings-on in our neighbouring Big Field. I watched the pair of Green-veined Whites, above, for about five minutes as they alternated spells of perching on flowerheads - Dandelion clocks being their favourite choice - and fluttering about while still 'connected'. There must be scientific papers about how the latter exercise is possible and presumably not too uncomfortable; one day I will Google for them, delicately.

Like the Orange-tip underwing mentioned here the other day, the 'green' veins on this common but very pretty species are actually grey. The overall greenish effect is an optical illusion, perhaps enhanced when the butterfly is seen, as it very often is, against a background of grass.

Above are clips from a video of Brimstones dancing courtship. Initially two of the sulphur-yellow males were taking an interest in the paler female but not for long; soon one soared off - whether in response to battle signals from the other, I could not tell - and the remaining one carried on his dogged pursuit for a good three minutes. A friend mistook the female for one of the Whites and asked if different species could mate successfully. The answer is seldom because the genitalia are different, very like the small variations in keys, but it can sometimes happen. The resulting hybrid butterflies are usually sterile and so new species only very rarely develop in the way that they commonly do in plants.

As regular readers know, I am a great delighter in Holly Blues, especially if they do me the rare favour of opening their wings to reveal the beautiful, azure blue topwings. Thanks to the one above, although it nipped off when I tried to get closer, unlike the one below, which kept its wings closed but fortunately had wear-and-tear gaps through which the glorious blue peeps.

Finally, my sister sent me this picture of a very small garden micro, asking its identity.  This is a kind thing to do, given my general muddle on the subject, but I know this little chap well. Nibbling on mint, he or she is a Mint Moth.