<< Previous Next >>

Vanessa cardui


Vanessa cardui
Photo Information
Copyright: Paras Bhalla (parasbhalla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 328 W: 0 N: 837] (3304)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-09-22
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC P150
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/220 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-09-27 14:13
Viewed: 216
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
WiKiPedia Information on "Painted Lady" butterfly:

The Painted Lady group of colourful butterflies comprises the subgenus Cynthia of the genus Vanessa in the Family Nymphalidae. They are well known throughout most of the world.

The group includes:
the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), which is almost global in its distribution

1. Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi)
2. American (Painted) Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
3. West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella).

In general, the Painted Lady is a large butterfly (wing span 5--9–cm (2--2 7/8 in)) identified by the black and white corners of its mainly deep orange, black-spotted wings. It has 5 white spots in the black forewing tips and while the orange areas may be pale here and there, there are no clean white dots in them. The hindwings carry 4 small submarginal eyespots on dorsal and ventral sides. Those on the dorsal side are black, but in the summer morph sometimes small blue pupils are present in some.

Vanessa cardui

The American Painted Lady (V. virginiensis) is most easily distinguishable by its two large hindwing eyespots on the ventral side. virginiensis also features a white dot within the subapical field of the forewings set in pink on the ventral side, and often as a smaller clean white dot in the orange of the dorsal side too. A less reliable indicator is the row of eyespots on the dorsal submarginal hindwing; virginiensis often has two larger outer spots with blue pupils. The black forewing tips have 4--5 white spots, usually the largest is whitish orange.

The West Coast Lady (V. annabella) does not have obvious ventral eyespots. On the dorsal side, anabella lacks a white dot in the subapical orange found in virginiensis, and is a purer orange color. annabella has a fully orange subapical band and leading edge on the forewing. The submarginal row of hindwing spots in annabella features three or four blue pupils. The two larger pupils in annabella are the inner spots, rather than the outer spots as in corresponding virginiensis.

The Australian Painted Lady (V. kershawi) is quite similar to V. cardui. Its four ventral eyespots are less clearly defined, and it always sports at least three (often four) blue pupil spots on its dorsal hindwing. Caterpillars are found mainly on Ammobium alatum.

(Source of information: WiKiPedia)
maurydv, anel 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
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hello Paras,
another splendid picture of this very beautiful butterfly, very good sharpness and marvellous colours, a very nice composition
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • sela Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 39] (704)
  • [2009-09-28 1:22]

HI Paras, once agaion a wonderful photo of our friendly butterfly Painted Lady. As usual, beautifully composed. TFS
Einen schönen Tag wünscht Rose

Ciao Paras. Well diagonal lighting and coloured compo. Regards.

Roberto

Hi Paras,

Very particular POV for a impressive set. Congratulations!, colors and background are perfects!

Jesús

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1733 W: 0 N: 3953] (15852)
  • [2009-09-29 11:13]

Hello Paras,
A fine composition showing the well-known Painted Lady. Good sharpness on the wings and I like the fact that you included the blue flower at the right side. Well done.
Have a nice evening
Kind regards
Anne

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF