The instinct to survive predominates in the world of insects and spiders but the instinct to reproduce is very strong. The sole mission of male butterflies and dragonflies is to search for females with which to mate and very often, female butterflies are found and mated with very soon after they have emerged from the pupa.
Walking around Pevensey Levels in recent weeks, the reproductive cycle has been evident everywhere.
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) (mating)
The female is the lower of the pair and the dusting on her hind wings is probably grass pollen.
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) (mating)
Fen Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius) (female with egg sac)
The female is an extremely attentive mother and will carry the egg sac everywhere. When the eggs start to hatch, she will construct a nursery web and remain with her offspring until they disperse naturally.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.