Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Zebra Swallowtails Mating


I discovered these two zebra swallowtails (Eurytides marcellus) mating while exploring at Dutch Gap Conservation Area near my home in Chesterfield County, VA. Most of the time that I was watching they were being harassed by what I'm guessing is another male.

I question, on a site that is used by elementary school children, if it is appropriate to include images of animals mating. I'm thinking that with insects it is probably within bounds. I would be reluctant to do so with vertebrates. Any comments on this topic?

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