Ben HoareNov 27, 2022

Bilateral gynandromorphism is a pretty rare occurrence where an animal is a half-male, half-female, split right down the middle. Like this common blue butterfly - male on left, female on right. Weird! But seriously wonderful…

Very excited this is going to be in my big children’s nature book for autumn 2023 which I start writing next week.

#nature #wildlife #butterfly #entomology #AmWriting #ChildrensBooks
Photo: Burkhard Hinnersmann / Wikimedia Commons

Show threadMelinda
@BenHoare
Goodness, I have never seen a common blue m/f like that before, that really is exciting. I wonder if predators are less likely to take this example?
Nov 28, 2022 at 11:04amWeb
Show threadBen HoareNov 28, 2022
@Melinda No idea! Doubt it has been researched? But with other colour aberrations - eg leucism, albinism - I think generally the predation risk increases.
Show threadMelindaNov 28, 2022
@BenHoare
Thanks for the reply. I guess a fully brown female is well camouflaged when in plants and bushes. The male's blue doesn't give much protection! Certainly beautiful though. I've seen quite a few in open flower meadows this year.