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PAINTED JEZEBEL – COURTSHIP

on 22nd January 2018
Painted Jezebel Courtship
Painted Jezebel Courtship

“It was a simmering day in the mangroves, and a female Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete, family Pieridae) was quenching her thirst at the flowers of Teruntum Merah (Lumnitzera littorea). Her wings were wide open and abdomen arched, as she sipped the sweet nectar, in full view of a visibly excited male (above, below).

Painted Jezebel Courtship
Painted Jezebel Courtship

“As the male fluttered all over the female, his heart must have been fluttering too. Occasionally, his wings would even brush against hers.

“A video clip of this brief, but rarely observed courtship may be previewed here:

“As soon as the female flew off, the male followed in hot pursuit. They soared and spiraled towards the treetops, in search of more privacy for their secret union, far away from my prying eyes.”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
12th January 2018

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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