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Southern Festoon


Southern Festoon
Photo Information
Copyright: Petr Bambousek (Orchidej) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 44] (862)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-29
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF300mm f4
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-04 4:21
Viewed: 903
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Distribution: SE France, Italy and eastwards to Slovakia and Greece covering all the Balkans. It is usually in some numbers when found.

Identification: Distinctive. There is only one other butterfly with similar extreme markings in Europe - the Spanish Festoon, Z. rumina. The ranges of the two species overlap in SE France. See identification section on the species page for Z. rumina.

Flight time: April to June in a single brood. Possibly earlier in some hot places.

Habitat: In the south and lower altitudes, hot dry places. In mountains and further from the coast, grassy herb rich meadows. I've found it once at around 1500m in Greece, but mostly it is below around 1000m. Larvae feed on Aristolochiae (Birthworts).

Behaviour: Flight is fairly direct and gliding but not strong. It flies low over the grass pausing to take nectar or rest occasionally. Very similar to the Spanish Festoon Z. rumina in flight but differs from most Pieridae which tend to flutter and fly erratically.

Additional notes: Until my visit to Greece in early May 2004 by far the most I've ever seen in one place was 8 in southern France. In May 2004 I found it commonly in lightly wooded areas and roadsides often in good numbers - 20 or 30 in a colony.

Source : www.eurobutterflies.com
phlr, rodosranger, vanderschelden, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 422 W: 73 N: 984] (4241)
  • [2007-05-04 5:44]

Hello Petr,
I didn't know the southern festoon has it distribution all the way to Czech republic.
You have a awesome sharp image here, hwith nice soft colours.
Well done, Jacob

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1056 W: 289 N: 3918] (13218)
  • [2007-05-04 11:02]

Hello Petr,
the butterfly contrasts and stands out clearly against the 'smooth' background. Due to right focus and high sharpness details of the wing colour pattern are nicely presented.
Best wishes, Peter

A very low number of points and comments on this shot. Which is totally unjustified because its excellent. Its well composed and exposed and the focus is spot on. The butterfly stands out perfectly against the neutral background too.

A very nice image, well done!

Regards
Matt

Hi Petr,
Very good image; colourful, well composed, sharp,...
TFS
Annick

Hi Petr,
razor sharp, well illuminated, excellently isolated and well composed capture of rare and conspicuous Zerynthia polyxena (Pestrokřídlec podražcový, Osterluzeifalter).
Due to the very warm weather they were out early this year. I spotted a single large individual in eastern Lower Austria near Marchegg on 13 April, while at the same time due to the very dry weather there was no trace of its Aristolochia feeding plants to be seen. Didn't manage to capture that one as good as you did it here. Usually, this exotic looking butterfly can be seen in good colonies along the dams following the rivers Danube and March (Morava) east of Vienna.
Brilliant shot. Thank you for sharing.
With best regards,
Peter

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