Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site

Painted Ladies copulating

These Painted Ladies are copulating in an oak tree in San Jose. Males set up territories at ground level in late afternoon. If a female appears, the male investigates; if she is receptive she typically leads him up into a tree and alights. The male then alights next to her and attempts to make genital contact. Once they are linked, he usually walks around until he is facing directly away from her. The two often fly to a more-sheltered site, where they may remain in copula throughout the night. This behavior, which is typical of Ladies, Tortoiseshells, Anglewings and their relatives, makes direct observations of copulation very infrequent.

Photo by Edward Rooks, March 30, 2009.