Is it possible for a butterfly to have both male and female characteristics?

MariaBBB

April 21, 2010 01:51am

Although rare, this can happen. The result, in some cases, is an animal that has male characteristics on one side (left or right) and female characteristics on the other side. If the wing patterns are different for the sexes, this leads to an animal rather striking in appearance. A butterfly exhibiting this is called a 'gynandromorph.'

dryrun

April 21, 2010 02:01am

See this picture:
http://www.butterfliesbirdsandblooms.com/gallery/image.php?imageid=213

You can see the somewhat extended male clasper on the left side of the abdomen, and the male's yellow tegula
on the left side of the thorax.

MariaBBB

April 22, 2010 03:02am

Thanks dryrun for sharing a picture.