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Post by luehdorfia on Apr 30, 2016 19:21:28 GMT
Dear fellow collectors, on the 11th of April this year I caught this splendid Gonepteryx rhamni. I think it is a mosaic gynandromorph, but I have been only collecting for a year now, this was actually the 13th Gonepteryx I ever caught. It was caught in Germany, sunny but still quite cold that day. Do such gynandromorphs appear often or is this rather rare? As soon as I have time to rearrange my collection I will post more pictures here. Best greetings from Germany Simon  |
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steve
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 53
Country: Australia
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Post by steve on May 1, 2016 0:32:26 GMT
Well done ! Only 250,000 more specimens to collect until you get your next gynandromorph !!!
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Post by trehopr1 on May 1, 2016 7:11:28 GMT
You have indeed collected the proverbial "needle in the haystack" luehdorfia ! Gynandromorphs are literally "one of a kind" butterflies. Each is a unique and singular genetic mistake which has occurred. Most collectors never collect one in their lifetime. Those that are in collections are generally highly prized by those who own them even if they have not collected them.
Gynanders as we like to call them should not be confused with abberations. Abbs are rather unique things in their own right and are also sought after however, they are generally produced by way of abrupt short term temperature shock, breeding experimentation via man's involvement, and possibly even through the particular diet of the larvae. I say "possibly" on that last remark as it seems feasible even though I have never been a breeder myself.
Very cool !
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Post by mothman27 on May 2, 2016 1:08:03 GMT
Which are more common, bilateral or mosaic?
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Post by trehopr1 on May 2, 2016 4:51:29 GMT
Gynandromorphs when encountered in the wild or in collections are most often mosaics much like the one posted above (with a smattering of one of the opposite sexes present to varying degrees). However, on a rarer note one may also encounter a specimen which is clearly 3/4 of one sex and 1/4 of the opposite sex. The odds of that are even more astronomical than a mosaic specimen. But, without doubt the epitome of awesomeness on yet another level is the bilateral gynandromorph. A true bilateral will only have a single male clasper present on whichever side is male. To put it best (bilateral gynanders) are the mythical unicorns of the lepidopterist world !
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Post by nomad on May 2, 2016 7:41:17 GMT
Which are more common, bilateral or mosaic? All gynandromorphs are very rare. The bilateral in many species is even a rarer than mosaics. luehdorfia's mosaic Gonepteryx rhamni specimen is a great find, the hindwings are almost entirely female with splashes of male colour. Here is a museum specimen of a bilateral gynandromorph of this species caught in England some time ago.  |
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Post by Paul K on May 2, 2016 9:26:17 GMT
luehdorfia's mosaic Gonepteryx rahmni specimen is a great find, the hindwings are almost entirely female with splashes of male colour. And besides it is gynandromorph it is new species too  |
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Post by mothman27 on May 2, 2016 11:38:23 GMT
Nice find!
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Post by Adam Cotton on May 3, 2016 13:57:14 GMT
luehdorfia's mosaic Gonepteryx rahmni specimen is a great find, the hindwings are almost entirely female with splashes of male colour. And besides it is gynandromorph it is new species too Well spotted Paul, I was editing the thread to correct the spelling to Gonepteryx rhamni when I got to your post, and decided to leave it with the incorrect spelling, otherwise no-one would understand why you thought it is a "new species" Adam. |
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