COURTSHIP OF BUTTERFLIES 223 



the tip of its abdomen repeatedly over that of the moth. 

 It was the more curious that there were numbers of freshly 

 emerged Acraea females in the neighbourhood with which 

 the male butterfly could have mated. Professor Poulton 

 suggested that possibly it was a case of accidental likeness 

 between the odours of two species very far removed from 

 each other, which implies that the male seeks for the odour 

 of the female as well as trying to charm her with his own. 



White butterflies of the genus Belenois have often been 

 observed courting. A male for a long time flutters round 

 and pursues a female, who, perhaps wearied by his im- 

 portunities, settles at last with wings expanded. The 

 male alights behind her and commences vigorously to 

 "paw" her hind wings with quick movements of his 

 anterior legs, the action being as if he was trying to walk 

 up a very slippery surface. Refusal on the part of the 

 female seems to be indicated by a curious attitude. The 

 wings are spread out flat, but not quite at right angles 

 to the axis of the body, for the fore wings are directed 

 slightly backwards. The abdomen is directed vertically 

 upwards at right angles to the thorax. 



In 1917 I witnessed the consummation of a courtship 

 of a Pierine, the initial stages of which had not been 

 observed. A male and female Pinacopteryx simana were 

 fluttering in the air and the female suddenly settled, 

 quite quietly, and sat with wings closed. The male stood 

 over her with wings widely expanded so as completely 

 to conceal her ; the union was the act of a moment, and 

 then they flew away, the female hanging passively with 

 wings closed, the male carrying her. 



Nymphalines such as Precis and Byblia, however, adopt 

 different methods of courtship. The female, with wings 

 closed over her back, faces the male, who endeavours 

 to induce her to allow the union by butting against her 

 closed wings with the anterior margin of his own, brought 

 together over his back. It appears as if the male's 



