[Video] An interesting sipping behavior of Woodland Brown

[mokky]

Last week I was able to film an interesting behavior of Woodland Brown (Lopinga achine). If you know any information, reference or paper regarding this biology, please let me know.

A male of Woodland Brown (Lopinga achine) was sipping moisture from the pebble. The pebble seemed to be completely dry. As filming this butterfly, a very strange thing has happened. The butterfly was touching the surface of the pebble by its proboscis and then some moisture appeared on it! Judging from the behavior in detail, this butterfly seemed to release the moisture through its proboscis onto the surface of the pebble. In some butterflies and skippers, it is known that the butterfly gives moisture from its abdomen onto bird droppings or rotten fruits to suck liquid from them. But in this case, the butterfly gives moisture from its proboscis. This kind of behavior has been poorly known but it must be the first time to film visually.
(Ko-shu-shi, Yamanashi, JAPAN, July 2013)

[dertodesking]

A very interesting video Mokky - thanks for sharing.

Perhaps the butterfly was able to gain some mineral from the pebble?

Simon

[davemoore]

Absolutely fascinating, thanks for posting.
I can only assume that the butterfly is able to force fluid out of its proboscis onto the surface of the stone, as everywhere it touches becomes wet. It must then suck up the fluid that has dissolved some salts.
It must be a behaviour evolved to cope with hot dry conditions, I notice that the places touched quickly dry out again which indicates to me that it was a hot dry day.
Thanks again, I have never seen this behaviour before but will look out for it in future.
Dave