Sex between Storms

We have been having so many torrential thunderstorms recently that it is a miracle that two butterflies have time to get acquainted! The brown veined Marbled White is the female, and the black is the male. This is the first time I have seen them mating. Eggs are laid on the wing, or from brief perches on grass stems, apparently, and are just sprinkled among the grass stems. When they hatch the larvae immediately enter hibernation and only feed the following spring when fresh growth occurs. 


So many gifts for yesterday’s lady chamois that she is sitting on top of the first Popular Page. Honoured and thank you so much.