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Common Blue


Common Blue
Photo Information
Copyright: Paras Bhalla (parasbhalla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 317 W: 0 N: 815] (3190)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-02
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC P150
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/80 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My Purple Obsession 4 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-09-18 8:47
Viewed: 278
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
General Information on "Common Blue" from WiKiPedia:

The Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.

Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Tribe: Polyommatini
Genus: Polyommatus
Species: P. icarus

Binomial name Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775)


Appearance, behaviour and distribution:

Male uppersides are an iridescent lilac blue with a thin black border. Females are brown with a row of red spots along the edges. They usually have some blue at the base of the wings and, especially in Ireland and Scotland, are mostly blue but always have the red spots. Undersides have a greyish ground colour in the males and more brownish in the females. Both sexes have a row of red spots along the edge of the hindwings (extending onto the forewings though generally fainter, particularly in the males where they are sometimes missing altogether). There are about a dozen black centered white spots on the hind wings, nine on the forwings. The white fringe on the outer edge of the wings is not crossed with black lines as it is in the Chalkhill and Adonis Blues, an important difference when separating these species, particularly the females.

It is Britain's (and probably Europe's) most common and most widespread blue, found as far north as Orkney and on most of the Outer Hebrides. Males are often very obvious as they defend territories against rivals and search out the more reclusive females. A range of grassland habitats are used: meadows, coastal dunes, woodland clearings and also many man made habitats, anywhere where their food plants are found.
It is widespread in Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia.

Recently, Polyommatus icarus was discovered in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada by Ara Sarafian. An amateur entomologist, he had been observing the butterfly from 2005 to 2008. He contacted the Canadian National Collection of Insects in Ottawa where the butterfly was identified as P. icarus, a new alien butterfly to Canada and North America. The butterfly seems to be well established and is extending its range from year to year (Source: http://www.entsocont.com/Newsletter_Dec_2007.pdf).

Lifecycle and food plants:

The main food plant on most sites is Bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Others used include Black Medick Medicago lupulina, Common Restharrow Ononis repens, White Clover Trifolium repens and Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium. Eggs are laid singly on young shoots of their food plants.

The caterpillar is small, pale green with yellow stripes and as usual with lycid larvae rather slug-like. Hibernation occurs as a half grown larvae. They are attractive to ants but not as much as some other species of blues. The chrysalis is olive green/brown and formed on the ground where it is attended by ants which will often take it into their nests. The larvae creates a substance called honey dew, which the ants eat while the butterfly lives in the ant hill. In the south of Britain there are two broods a year flying in May and June and again in August and September. Northern England has one brood flying between June and September. In a long warm year there is sometimes a partial third brood in the south flying into October.

(Source of above mentioned information: WiKiPedia)
Miss_Piggy, roges, CeltickRanger, marianas, cloud, Royaldevon, nglen, rousettus, boreocypriensis, cirano, siggi has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2575] (9085)
  • [2009-09-18 8:49]

Hi Paras,
i like looking at the blue. They are always exciting and give variety of poses especially the downwards like what you captured.
Well drtailed in nice composition.

regards,
Foozi

Hallo Paras
My compliments to a colourful and most beautiful photograph. What a delightful view. The details of both the flower and the butterfly is truly eye-catching and very striking. The combination of colours and the detail on the butterflies wings are great. A most appealing and bright and sunny sight. You have used the light well, emphasizing the beautiful colours of both the butterfly and the flower. Thanks for sharing. Kind regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 609 W: 0 N: 541] (3164)
  • [2009-09-18 8:53]

Hi Paras,

Excellent capture. Very beautiful playing.
Have a pleasant day,
Adrian

hello Paras

a very beautiful photo with the multi colpour tones,
fine POV to the butterfly with his flower and the way
they are framed on the image, fine focus excellent
sharpness and details, very beautiful luminosity, TFS

Asbed

hello Pras
super composition with great sharpness and beautiful colours
great details
greeting lou

Paras
Wonderful capture.
Sharpness of the details is amazing, colors are so natural.
Congratulation1
Mariana

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 71 N: 758] (4689)
  • [2009-09-18 10:59]

Hello Paras,
All is OK only composition don't like for me. I think that left side this photo don't contain nothing interesting and should to crop it. This way photo would be better. It's my opinion.
Regards, Pawel

Hello Paras,

You are turning into another Butterfly Man!
This is a great capture. Although supposedly common, rarely seen in my area!
I like the pretty wing patterns which you have captured clearly. The dof has helped to make the butterfly stand out well against the oof b/g.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-09-18 11:04]

Hi Paras,it's incredible any time to see a butterfly in so great colorfest! This is fantastic,one of your best composition,impressive sharpness of the polyommatus a and great cocktail of beautifuls and warms colors.My best compliments,have a nice W.E.,Luciano

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2912 W: 34 N: 8640] (32202)
  • [2009-09-18 11:18]

Hi Paras . This whole picture is full of colour , from the flower down to the Butterfly. Your use of the light has helped with this. With very good detail. Well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a nice weekend.

Hello Paras,
what a great close-up for both of Common Blue and bluish flowers. superb coloration and sharp details. using light perfect. nicely composed from great POV. thanks for sharing this beauty. best wishes and have a nice weekend
Ahmet

Namastay Paras, Uestat:)

Technically perfect macro capture of this pretty common blue in a very colourful environment. The way you captured this beauty just amazing, hence contribute the image in an aesthetic manner.
TFS this and have a nice WE MF!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 656 W: 0 N: 228] (4950)
  • [2009-09-18 15:29]

Slav Paras,
Very good close up of this commen blue on the very beautiful flower.The sharpness and colors are excellent.Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Dūrzan

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1378 W: 56 N: 4747] (16330)
  • [2009-09-18 15:35]

Hello Paras.
Excelent picture; very sharp and details can be seen very good!Nice background.
Best regards Siggi

Un trabajo impresionante por el bello conjunto de colores. Bien encuadrada y equilibrada.
Buen fin de semana Paras: Josep Ignasi.

Ciao Paras. Indeed perfect details and magnificent colours. Exciting light for a great POV.

Roberto

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