Hi Vince - in "South's British Butterflies" (T. G. Howarth), these matings (involving Meadow Brown) have never produced offspring (but that book is quite old in relative terms!). But hybridisation can occur in other species - for example, hybridisation of Chalkhill Blue and Adonis Blue results in an infertile hybrid known as polonus.

Cheers,

- Pete

Apparantly this is not as unusual as it seems. There was a similar photo posted on the Sussex pages on 14.7.09 by Steven Robinson. According to Adrian Hoskins' excellent website, Meadow Browns are often found copulated with other Satyrine species including Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Marbled White and on rare occasions Small Tortoiseshell. I have not been able to ascertain whether this activity results in any offspring. Does anyone have any more information?

I never knew that was possible..

I think that is technically called “a bit on the side”.

Jack

Thanks for the comment Charles.
All (and many more i have not yet posted), were at various reserves in the Rio Grandee valley area.
We covered the area between Brownsville and McAllen (Approx 70 miles).

Brian