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Post by nomad on Dec 23, 2018 15:38:11 GMT
In Britain the Wood White Leptidea sinapis has much declined and is a scarce species of open woodlands. This dainty butterfly has an elaborate mating ritual. In Britain their are two broods a year of L. sinapis that show seasonal variation. Staring the courtship the male faces the female and slowly uncoils its proboscis and when fully extended strokes her in a rapid motion, the male then waves its white tipped antennae back and forth and the female responds in the same manner. Throughout the three to four minute courtship the male open and shuts its wings, if the suitor is successful mating takes place. Leptidea sinapis mating display. 1-2. 25/7/2014. 2-5 16/5/2015.      |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2018 17:03:20 GMT
I remember seeing scores of these while on holiday in Spain about 25 years ago and took a small series, I almost felt a fraud collecting them, I've never seen a butterfly that flies so weakly, it's almost slow motion.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 23, 2018 17:26:14 GMT
I was looking at a flirting pair of the Asian wood white, Leptosia nina, in my farm yesterday. I am not breeding them but their host plant is a weed and there's usually a few flopping around the farm pretty much all year round.
Adam.
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Post by miguel on Dec 23, 2018 18:44:36 GMT
Leptidea sinapis is one of the most common species still here in Spain.
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Post by Paul K on Dec 23, 2018 23:57:44 GMT
There are two other species of Leptidea: L. juvernica and L.morsei which are identical to L.sinapis
The second one occurs in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia
L.juvernica occurs together with L.sinapis in most of Europe therefore it is impossible to tell which species it is from photos or sighting or even by specimen
They are looking the same and can be distinguished only by genitalia examinations.
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Post by Paul K on Dec 24, 2018 4:50:35 GMT
Leptidea sinapis is one of the most common species still here in Spain. You have also L.reali in Spain. Is it also common there? It is very similar to L.sinapis too. |
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Post by nomad on Dec 24, 2018 7:43:47 GMT
L. reali also occurs in Ireland and has the same courtship display as L. sinapis (except apparently the males there do not open and shut their wings). Why I agree that L. sinapis has a weak flight they have quite a bit of stamina at least more than me on a hot day. The males can cover quite a distance when they are on the look out for females. I once followed one such male, as it slowly but determinedly flew along a woodland ride, I gave up the pursuit in the end, as this male was taking me away from the area where I wanted to be.
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Post by miguel on Jan 1, 2019 18:07:31 GMT
Leptidea sinapis is one of the most common species still here in Spain. You have also L.reali in Spain. Is it also common there? It is very similar to L.sinapis too. I have collected both species,to distinguish them you have to make DNA analysis,usually L.reali flies at higher altitudes but I have collected both flying at only 300mts above the sea in the same place . |
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