Wall Brown behaviour question

[Geoff F]

About 2 weeks ago, near the coast path, S. Devon.

Plenty of Wall Browns flitting around and I photographed a mating pair. Then 2 individuals landed on the path a few feet from me. One had it's wings outstretched with the tips drooping in a rather submissive posture while the other had wings closed or half closed.

The closed wing animal ran upto the other, head to head, then lowered it's head and charged right upto the other, almost like a 'head butt' situation. It did this several times before flying off. The other one stayed motionless on the ground for a couple of minutes before eventually slowly flying off.

So was this a bout of aggression or part of the courtship procedure? I suspect the former but have never seen anything like this before.


First photo is the mating pair.

[GuyF]

I can't say I've ever seen this before but I expect that it's something to do with courtship as the left hand butterfly is a female and the right hand one is a male. I'd guess the male is attempting to mate with the female. Her posture may appear submissive, but judging by what you saw happen next I expect it could be a rejection pose. It's always good to see interesting behaviour like this!
Guy

[Geoff F]

Yes probably something like that. He put his 'face' up close to hers then jumped back quickly before going through the same procedure a couple more times.

So she must have been biting not kissing!