Small leopard butterflies (Phalanta alcippe) swarm around a source of minerals in Thailand - in this case sweaty training shoes. One of the principle

---

Small leopard butterflies (Phalanta alcippe) swarm around a source of minerals in Thailand - in this case sweaty training shoes. One of the principle objectives is to gain sodium and, from organic matter, amino acids - which are incorporated into male spermatophores as a nuptual gift. The female requires an abundance of them to lay viable eggs.

---

Size: 5616px × 3744px
Photo credit: © PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, acids, amino, butterflies, butterfly, feeding, leopard, lick, mud, nymphalids, puddle, puddling, salt, small, sodium, swarm, sweat, sweating