|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Oct 28, 2020 8:55:01 GMT -8
I have always found the females of the Holly Blue the most attractive of the U.K. species. Just my humble opinion, and they too are variable in their bi-color blue coloration.
Could you show us any of your specimens?
I have an excellent pair although mine are from Europe.
The species must be popular amongst those who appreciate lycaenids as anytime I bid on a nice pair on Ebay I'm looking at spending at least $24 or more. The last nice pair I bid on 2 weeks ago hiked up to $36 for the win ! However, I didn't win....
|
|
|
|
Post by yorky on Oct 28, 2020 11:21:46 GMT -8
I don't have pictures of argiolus, I will have to get around to taking some at the weekend, swamped with work at the moment.
|
|
|
|
Post by yorky on Oct 28, 2020 11:23:47 GMT -8
 is is an antitransians female of lycaena phlaeas that I caught about half a mile from my house. |
|
|
|
Post by yorky on Nov 1, 2020 13:00:38 GMT -8
The eyeless form of the ringlet butterfly Aphantopus hyperantus.  |
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Nov 6, 2020 19:49:26 GMT -8
Here is a marvelously fresh hatch Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)(male) which I quite surprisingly collected VERY late this season on Sept.19th.2020 I have only on one other occasion and year found a male so...late in the year ! Swallowtails in my area are usually finished by end of August so, this fellow was easily 3 weeks off the usual mark. Though, this species never rates the "WOW" factor of some of the other species that are found here; I still find it quite beautiful and deserving of accolades in its own right (when fresh). When and where this species is found one may usually find several males flying about or pollinating. However, getting truly good wild caught examples is another thing. The males are very "flighty" (meaning they don't sit still very long), or darn near impossible to catch whilst in flight. The males start "ratting" themselves up by day 3 and the "bold-ness" of their colors seems to quickly erode away. So, in my humble observations you really have to get these on day 1 or 2 to get them like this. Otherwise, it's easier to raise your own and have them turn out like this but, then there's no "thrill of the hunt" in that...   |
|
|
|
Post by yorky on Nov 7, 2020 3:37:31 GMT -8
Its great when unexpected things happen. Vanessa atalanta is usually seen in ones and twos most years where I live but is never as common as aglais urticae and io. I remember about 3 years ago walking my dog with my son in law on a new route when we stumbled upon a disused quarry. It was covered in buddleia bushes which were almost dead with only 1 or 2 live sprigs on each but atalanta were fighting for space on each twig that could still give nectar and all were ex pupae fresh, a great surprise and a marvellous end to the season, of course I took a few. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Nov 7, 2020 9:12:24 GMT -8
Vanessa atalanta is always a lovely and striking butterfly to encounter --- especially when fresh. In my region the species is common and does overwinter as an adult.
Our first brood appears around mid-june and yet another emerges in August sometime; depending on the prevailing conditions.
When I was young a neighbor of mine had a favorite set of "handrails" on his front porch that admirals would roost on each time a new brood emerged. I could always see one or two sitting on those brown handrails with wings closed blending in...
None of my neighbors had any time for flowers in their yard so about the only other time I would see the species is when I encountered it on a bike path alongside a small woods near my house.
Nowadays, I only pick up one or two nice ones in any given summer as most times I find them they are past their prime.
|
|
|
|
Post by yorky on Nov 7, 2020 11:20:18 GMT -8
 icia agestis the brown argus was first seen in South Yorkshire around 2010 after previously been unknown from the area. Just to prove what I said earlier I found it in huge numbers in a field in 2018 after only ever seeing it in ones and twos, I must have seen 200 in one afternoon. Going back to the field in 2019 all that I found were bulldozers, the field completely ruined in preparation for yes you guessed it ,another housing estate, the finest colony of this local species for miles destroyed. |
|
