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DARK BRAND BUSH BROWN MALE RIVALRY

on 8th February 2015

“On the morning of 29th October 2014, I was along forest edge and witnessed bouts of confrontational behaviour between two male Dark Brand Bush Brown butterflies (Mycalesis mineus macromalayana, family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae).

“In between frantic chasing flights, there were brief moments when both were perched together upon leaves and apparently engaged in sparring sessions. The challenger male would face his opponent at a right angle and flash his wings deliberately at steady intervals (above).

“In response, the male being confronted would issue a quick flick of his wings, clearly knocking the front margin of the challenger’s forewings (above).

“A video clip of these competitive males (with wing flashing and flicking) may be previewed here:

“The butterfly that flew away may have admitted defeat and moved on in search of another territory to call his own, while the victorious male stood his ground to improve his chances of finding a mate.”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
31st January 2015

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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