How amazing is this!! Butterflies have such a short life span and therefore window for reproduction, ranging between 3days and 3 weeks! The female emits a pheromone to attract the male, their reproductive organs interlock and the female (on top) injects a sedative into the male so he will remain still for the following 12-24hrs, where she draws the sperm into her body and stores it till her eggs ripen and are ready for fertilization. She will then lay the eggs on a specific type of plant over the next 6wks. The plant becomes the food for the caterpillar, and then the venue for the chrysalis stage. The sedative is a protective mechanism. If they are under threat whilst interlocked, she can carry the male to safety and ensure the completion of the mating period. Otherwise, he may pull apart and fly off in another direction- causing major damage to both butterflies.