How to Impress the Ladies - _TNY_3521
The comma (Polygonia c-album) like this male from Tyresta National Park have peculiar wings with angular notches in them - the reason the Polygonia genus is known as the anglewing butterflies.
The larvae of this species can live on and eat several different species of plants - but they develop at different speed depending on which kind of host plant they grow up on. The best choice is stinging nettles, Urtia dioica, which also bring with it a surprising twist.
Females practice mate choice and will prefer to mate with males that were reared on higher qualiy host plants. But how does she know?
Well, it turns out that he offers her a nuptial gift in the form of edible spermatophores containing spermatozoa and nutrients. Those reared on better plants will have a higher protein content and get chosen more often.
How to Impress the Ladies - _TNY_3521
The comma (Polygonia c-album) like this male from Tyresta National Park have peculiar wings with angular notches in them - the reason the Polygonia genus is known as the anglewing butterflies.
The larvae of this species can live on and eat several different species of plants - but they develop at different speed depending on which kind of host plant they grow up on. The best choice is stinging nettles, Urtia dioica, which also bring with it a surprising twist.
Females practice mate choice and will prefer to mate with males that were reared on higher qualiy host plants. But how does she know?
Well, it turns out that he offers her a nuptial gift in the form of edible spermatophores containing spermatozoa and nutrients. Those reared on better plants will have a higher protein content and get chosen more often.