<< Previous Next >>

Brown Argus finally!


Brown Argus finally!
Photo Information
Copyright: Catherine Dijon (CatherineD) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 426 W: 15 N: 1852] (6689)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-16
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-08-18 10:09
Viewed: 378
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) or Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis) ? Most of you suggested me the Common Blue, but finally, Alina (Alutka) posted a useful workshop with the comparison between the two species. Alina was right: it is a Brown Argus. Thanks a lot!

Plebeius agestis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Family : Lycaenidae

Unlike most other "blues", the Brown Argus has no blue scales on its upperside, being primarily brown in colour as its name suggests, although it does exhibit a blue sheen when at certain angles to the light. Both sexes have beautiful orange markings on the upperside of both forewings and hindwings.
This species occurs in small, compact colonies, and is not a great wanderer, only travelling a couple of hundred metres, at most, from where it emerged.

Like its close relative, the Common Blue, this species will roost communally on grass stems at night. In fact, the two species are sometimes found roosting together.
The Brown Argus and Common Blue can be differentiated from their undersides, since the Brown Argus lacks a spot on the underside of the forewing that is present in the Common Blue.
The Brown Argus and female Common Blue can be difficult to tell apart from their uppersides. However, the Brown Argus is completely lacking in blue scales, but may have a blue sheen. The highly-variable female Common Blue, on the other hand, always has some blue scaling, especially close to the body. (UK Butterflies)

Habitat
The butterfly's traditional habitats are chalk and limestone grassland, but it also occurs in a range of other habitats with disturbed soils, including: coastal grassland and dunes, woodland clearings, heathland, disused railway lines, road verges, and more recently set-aside fields. Sheltered sites or slopes facing south or west are preferred.

Distribution
It is widespread and common across Europe as far north as Denmark and southern Sweden, across to the Middle East and Siberia, and also in North Africa. It has declined in a few western European countries. (Butterfly Conservation)

In Belgium, it is a rather rare species throughout Belgium. Vulnerable.
The adults fly in two generations a year: from mid May till mid June, and from early July till the end of September. (Lepidoptera of Belgium)
horias, marianas, parasbhalla, techranger, nikosrio, goatman04, Luis52, Argus has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Alutka: Thanks!CatherineD 2 08-20 08:05
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 411 W: 0 N: 1022] (5516)
  • [2009-08-18 10:40]

Very good colors and sharpness, I can not help for ID!

Witaj Catherine,
zrobiłaś zdjęcie Plebeius agestis ( Brown Argus ).
Pozdrawiam
Alina

Catherine,
Wonderful capture of this common blue(I think).
Sharp, colours and POV is excellent.
Flower give a good note to this capture.
Mariana

Hi Catherine,

Beautiful macro shot of the Common Blue!
To my knowledge, it is female Common Blue. Today, I have also contributed the same subject :)
The sharpness and POV are great in your shot, certainly better than I had. The colors are perfect and the colors of the butterfly are giving great contrast to teh blurred BG.
Great composition.

Thanks for posting.

regards,
Paras Bhalla

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-08-18 12:42]

Salut Catherine,c'est la femme du Polyommatus,tu as bien identifie' la petite cette fois.Une merveille de photo,les papillons de cette famille sont les miennes preferees....mes compliments et bonne nuit,Luciano

Another gorgeous butterfly image Catherine. Lighting, composition, clarity of detail, simply beautiful. TFS.

Larry

Aparte del ángulo, el enfoque y la luz, destaca sobre todo una gama de colores preciosa.
Abrazo Catherine: J. Ignasi.

Wonderful capture, sharp details and vivid colors,The light is great.
I agree it is a Female Common Blue,
TFS,
Nikos.

Hello Catherine,

A beautiful shot with such brilliant colors & fine details. Nicely done & TFS.

Regards

Umar

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-08-18 15:41]

Hola Catherine.
Muy bella la foto. Exelente enfoque en la Mariposa, Bellos tonos de colores en la presentacion.
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 71 N: 758] (4689)
  • [2009-08-19 0:36]

Hello Catherine,
I like photos where is dominate colour. The butterfly is visible very sharp in soft light against smooth BG.
Regards, Pawel

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2009-08-19 10:27]

Hello Catherine,
Great photo of this Common Blue. Very beautiful colours and sharpness. Lovely details in the wings. Excellent OOF BG and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Good photo
but I think that it is Plebeius agestis

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3821 W: 190 N: 11376] (35063)
  • [2009-08-20 22:05]

Hello Catherine,
A very fine close macro of a Aricia agestis taken from a fine POV to show the closed wings with almost total sharpness against a pleasing OOF BG. Nicely composed on the marjoram flower too.
Thanks and have a good weekend,
Ivan

Ciao Catherine, splendid composition with lovely little butterfly and beautiful flower, fantastic colors, good details and excellent sharpness, perfect focus and wonderful blurry BG, very well done, ciao Silvio

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF