Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

[art frames]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Thank you to Harold and also to Arturo (ye-moc). Lots and lots of spiders and things with long legs. Nice work photographically but a bit too much for a Sunday morning

I will add something for anyone with a fear or hate of spiders.

[art frames]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

A Black-veined White - Aporia crataegi. Extinct in the UK since the 1920's - thankfully still locally abundant in the Cevennes where this was taken and across Europe. Always a joy to see.

Black-veined White- Cevennes, France by Peter Willmott, on Flickr

[David M]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

A Black-veined White - Aporia crataegi. Extinct in the UK since the 1920's - thankfully still locally abundant in the Cevennes where this was taken and across Europe. Always a joy to see.

Black-veined White- Cevennes, France by Peter Willmott, on Flickr

That's a nice looking butterfly. I suspect that a lot of people ignore the White's but I like them.

[art frames]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

I agree David. So here is another first for me from this summer. A Western dappled White. Even the name is exciting.


Western Dappled White - Cevennes, France by Peter Willmott, on Flickr

It has some of the patterning of the underside of an orange tip or Bath White but the various Dappled Whites are very different species.

It is so easy to say 'Oh, just a white' and miss several varieties and the beauty of each different one.

[Harold Gough]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

I agree David. So here is another first for me from this summer. A Western dabbled White. Even the name is exciting.

It has some of the patterning of the underside of an orange tip or Bath White but the various Dabbled Whites are very different species.

It is so easy to say 'Oh, just a white' and miss several varieties and the beauty of each different one.

Peter,

Nice image but I think dapple is for butterflies and dabble is for ducks.

Harold

[David M]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

The underside does make you think of an Orange Tip. Another nice looking species.

[art frames]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Peter,

Nice image but I think dapple is for butterflies and dabble is for ducks.

Harold

Thanks for the proof-reading Harold. I have corrected the mistake.

I agree dapple is for butterflies but 'orange sauce' is for ducks every time!

[David M]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Thanks for the proof-reading Harold. I have corrected the mistake.

I agree dapple is for butterflies but 'orange sauce' is for ducks every time!

In other words, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be time to prepare the sauce.

[art frames]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

And finally.

Three to show the wonderful differences that France provides. In the UK we have just one Marbled White.

This year I added two new varieties to my collection. But first is a reminder shot. This is a French version of the Marbled White we see in the UK.


Marbled White - Melanargia galathea, France by Peter Willmott, on Flickr

Then a much rarer white - Esper's marbled White. This was the only butterfly that rested (albeit awkwardly) anywhere near the camera. Mostly they were a long way off and going fairly rapidly.


Esper's marbled white - Melanargia russiae by Peter Willmott, on Flickr

And finally a Spanish Marbled White just across the border in France. I only found this one. And it was a dull, overcast day. So not a great shot.


Spanish marbled white - Melanargia ines, France by Peter Willmott, on Flickr

If you look carefully you should see differences in pattern, spots and can perhaps imagine the amount of muttered cursing as I try to get a picture with all of the usual issues of movement heightened by the pressure and emotion of seeing something for the first time in your life and knowing it may be just one chance.

[bredman]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Another effort at handheld in-camera stack.

Darter -- In-Camera Stack

[Mrs T]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Great detail. Looks very successful.

[Olybirder]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

A Black-veined White - Aporia crataegi. Extinct in the UK since the 1920's - thankfully still locally abundant in the Cevennes where this was taken and across Europe. Always a joy to see.

That is a very classy looking butterfly. Very nice indeed Peter.

Ron

[mack100]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread


Beautiful Demoiselle
Aix les Bains, France.

[Harold Gough]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Waved Black, A Fungus-Eating Caterpillar

It was just under 10mm long and very slender. The black colour, and the bluish grey and orange markings, were very distinctive. They matched only one species in my caterpillar book, the Waved Black moth Parascotia fuliginaria. This species feeds on fungi: brackets, polypores and others on dead wood. It had surprised me by feeding, apparently on the dead wood, when I first observed it. At times, I hand to use my fingernail to remove crumbling wood blocking my view. Fortunately, it was moist and rubbery and did not send dust onto the larva.

The species was named by Linnaeus but I suspect that he did it with knowledge of the adult only.

This is one of the species which overwinters as a small larva. The individual I found was about one third of the length prior to pupation. The species is quite localised, mostly being found in some of the counties of southern England, including Berkshire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parascotia_fuliginaria

The low magnification images were shot with my Kiron 105mm and the higher magnification ones with my Schneider HM 40 reversed on my Kiron x1.5 TC. Both lenses were at f16 and on my Olympus EM-1, with twin TTL flash. Hand-held, with some support from the table or bench.

Harold

[Wee man]

Re: Communal Dragonfly, Butterfly and Insect photo thread

Nice shots it is well camouflaged against the background wood. Good detail in the last shot.

Wee Man