Mating <i>Pieris rapae</i> Cabbage White Butterflies (IMAGE)

University of Cincinnati

Mating <i>Pieris rapae</i> Cabbage White Butterflies

Caption

This is an illustration of two Pieris rapae, better known as cabbage white, butterflies during a mating dance where the male performs sweeps under the female to show off his bright violet wing colors that only the butterflies can see through their sophisticated visual system. The brighter the violet on the male's wings the more his nutrient package is rich with proteins, which are highly desirable by the females.

Credit

Nathan Morehouse

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