Speckled wood butterfly fights

[Lord V]

Often when I'm trying to shoot one of these butterflies another one appears and what looks like a fierce dog-fight ensues with the butterflies flying in tight circles around each other all over the place. Does anyone know if it's just the males doing a territorial thing that have these ?
Plus does anyone know how the winner is sorted out ? - almost looks from the length of time these can go on (5 mins at a time) that it's determined by stamina-

Brian V.

[Lance Morgan]

I think this is courtship between males and female butterflies.
Males of the butterfly defend sun spot territories. The warmer male butterflies can fly longer and therefore have more chance of meeting a female. Warm residents usually see off cooler intruders around the hot spot sites.

[Lord V]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

I think this is courtship between males and female butterflies.
Males of the butterfly defend sun spot territories. The warmer male butterflies can fly longer and therefore have more chance of meeting a female. Warm residents usually see off cooler intruders around the hot spot sites.

Thanks for the info- like the warm spot idea
99% of the time I've seen this, it results in the butterflies going in separate directions ?

Brian V.