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  • April 20, 2010 at 1:34 pm #813
    Andrew
    Keymaster

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

    April 21, 2010 at 1:51 am #1182
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    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.’

    April 21, 2010 at 2:01 am #1183
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    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.

    April 22, 2010 at 3:02 am #1184
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Thanks dryrun for sharing a picture.

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