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Post by beetlehorn on Dec 8, 2013 14:33:02 GMT -8
I found this bit of footage back when I was researching this group of Nymphalidae. Im' not sure where it was filmed, (Im' guessing England). This is definitely one of my all time favorite butterflies, so I wanted to share my appreciation of it with other Insectnet members and readers. Just click on the video section in the archive and you can choose which clip you want to view. Tom www.arkive.org/purple-emperor/apatura-iris/ |
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Post by nomad on Dec 9, 2013 11:10:38 GMT -8
Great videos. Almost certainly filmed in England. A very special and lovely species. I enjoy seeing them here in the U.K.  Thanks for the link. |
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Post by nomad on Dec 9, 2013 13:07:11 GMT -8
P.S. Here is a image, I managed to get in 2012.  |
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Post by beetlehorn on Dec 10, 2013 5:26:47 GMT -8
That's a great photo Nomad. I just love the patterns on these butterflies. Here I found a nice little video that was captured in the Czech Rep. by Adolf Goebel, which depicts two forms of Apatura ilia. The nominate form with white bands and form "clytie" are shown side by side. Both A. ilia and A. iris can inhabit the same area, although in most cases A. iris is less common.
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Post by nomad on Dec 10, 2013 10:39:50 GMT -8
Again, a nicely filmed video. Most of Europe is lucky to have two species of Purple Emperors and then there is also A. metis, which also occurs in central and eastern Europe. I have read that A. ilia has spread its range northwards, I wish it would join A. iris in the U.K. Plenty of suitable habitat here.
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Post by beetlehorn on Dec 26, 2013 8:08:29 GMT -8
I have often wondered the same. I know that A. iris lavae feeds on Common Sallow, and A. ilia feeds on Willow, Poplar, and Aspen. Perhaps therein lies the answer. Are these trees not as common in the U.K. as they are in the rest of Europe? I am only familiar with the habitat in Germany, and have never been to England, but given the close proximity to mainland Europe I would guess the habitat is rather alike, especially the southern part.
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Post by nomad on Dec 27, 2013 11:00:19 GMT -8
Although A. ilia is expanding its range in Europe, it is probably unlikely to arrive in the U.K. Being a broad leaved woodland species and not a migrant, the English Channel, although a quite narrow stretch of sea, probably represents an insurmountable barrier to this species. There would probably be no reason why A ilia should ever leave its forest habitat .  There is plenty of Aspen in the woods and forests of eastern England especially in Sussex and Kent, the local Light Orange Underwing moth [ Archiearis notha] utilizes this poplar tree. As A ilia has never been known as a native species an introduction would again be highly unlikely. |
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Thanks for the link.
There is plenty of Aspen in the woods and forests of eastern England especially in Sussex and Kent, the local Light Orange Underwing moth [ Archiearis notha] utilizes this poplar tree. As A ilia has never been known as a native species an introduction would again be highly unlikely.