Bilateral Gynandromorphism

Gynandromorphism occurs when an organism has both male and female characteristics.

This happens very early in cellular development. In moths and butterflies, cells are "determinate," meaning that each cell has a very specific purpose. Those very first cells determine aspects like right and left, top and bottom, front and back.

If a mutation takes place during this early stage of development, the information determining sex may be altered in a cell. Each subsequent division from that cell will remain either male or female resulting in an organism split down the middle. If this occurs later in development it can cause a mosaic or patchwork pattern of male and female characteristics.

Gynandromorphism can occur in both arthropods and birds.

I finally had a chance to work on my textile Common Blue Bilateral Gynandromorph sculpture! The blue side is male, the brown side is female.