Butterfly mobbing swallow? (1 Viewer)

Mouldy

skywatcher, dragonhunter

• Apr 26, 2011

• #1

A couple of days back I watched a butterfly following a swallow around the skies in good sunshine, fluttering like mad to stay never much more than a bird's length away from it, swallow didn't make any attempt to catch the insect but the chase went on for some time as the bird glided around the skies.
Couldn't tell what species the butterfly was, just a silhouette at the distance I was observing from but is this common behaviour anyone? whatever, that's what I love about wildlife watching, there's always something new to see and learn.

Cheers

Alan M

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Apr 27, 2011

• #2

I have seen Purple Emperors chase up at birds flying over when the males are "lekking".

 

Mouldy

skywatcher, dragonhunter

• Apr 29, 2011

• #3

not just me then

Cheers Aesh, was beginning to think I was just hallucinating.......:t:

.

 

ashrich

Registered , should be certified .......

• May 5, 2011

• #4

Some butterflies can be quite " aggressive " especially when occupying a territory .
I had a Red Admiral regularly fly at me and hit me in the chest in Norfolk a few years ago , and only the other day had a similar experience with a Peacock doing a similar thing

Ashley

 

harry eales

Ancient Entomologist

• May 13, 2011

• #5

Hello Alan,

I don't know of a single butterfly species that could keep up with a Swallow for more than a second, they simply fly too fast. I suppose something like the Hummingbird Hawkmoth could keep up, but I haven't seen or heard any reports of them this year in our neck of the woods.

Regards,

Harry

 

bitterntwisted

Graham Howard Shortt

• May 13, 2011

• #6

harry eales said:

I don't know of a single butterfly species that could keep up with a Swallow for more than a second, they simply fly too fast.

Click to expand...

Laden or unladen?

 

harry eales

Ancient Entomologist

• May 13, 2011

• #7

bitterntwisted said:

Laden or unladen?

Click to expand...

Not even with jet assisted or rocket boosters. lol.

Harry