Queen11Nov2012StMarks04 (2) Photo by Roy Brown
Male “Queen” butterfly (Danaus gilippus) extracting pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the plant, Clasping Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule), 9/20—22/2013, The Landing’s, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham Co., Ga
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids used to synthesize pheromones as an aphrodisiac: I have been observing multiple males “congregate on dead stems, seeds, and foliage “ remaining for over five minutes at a time with their proboscis extended into the plant extracting the alkaloids that go into the creation of an apparent aphrodisiac effecting scent. The “synthesized pheromones” are stored in the small hindwing patches noted as oblong black areas along a basal vein (close to abdomen-see photo).
"The Queen is known for its definite courtship display which must be rigidly followed by both sexes. The male chases the female and overtakes her from
above. He brushes her antennae with his abdominal hair pencils, which disseminate scent, and induces the female to alight. The male continues to
hover over the female, hairpencils still active, until the female becomes submissive. He alights alongside the female and copulation takes place.
Post-nuptial flights occur with the male pulling the female backwards through the air.”
My friend and fellow retired Special Agent, F.B.I. Roy Brown, a.k.a. Roy Cohutta digitally captured the Male Queen Hairpencils everted and sprayed, St Marks NWR,11/22/2012, St. Marks, Florida. He has allowed me to post these excellent images within this series to provide an overall documentation of this visually thrilling event.
Queen11Nov2012StMarks04 (2) Photo by Roy Brown
Male “Queen” butterfly (Danaus gilippus) extracting pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the plant, Clasping Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule), 9/20—22/2013, The Landing’s, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham Co., Ga
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids used to synthesize pheromones as an aphrodisiac: I have been observing multiple males “congregate on dead stems, seeds, and foliage “ remaining for over five minutes at a time with their proboscis extended into the plant extracting the alkaloids that go into the creation of an apparent aphrodisiac effecting scent. The “synthesized pheromones” are stored in the small hindwing patches noted as oblong black areas along a basal vein (close to abdomen-see photo).
"The Queen is known for its definite courtship display which must be rigidly followed by both sexes. The male chases the female and overtakes her from
above. He brushes her antennae with his abdominal hair pencils, which disseminate scent, and induces the female to alight. The male continues to
hover over the female, hairpencils still active, until the female becomes submissive. He alights alongside the female and copulation takes place.
Post-nuptial flights occur with the male pulling the female backwards through the air.”
My friend and fellow retired Special Agent, F.B.I. Roy Brown, a.k.a. Roy Cohutta digitally captured the Male Queen Hairpencils everted and sprayed, St Marks NWR,11/22/2012, St. Marks, Florida. He has allowed me to post these excellent images within this series to provide an overall documentation of this visually thrilling event.