Photos: Earth >> Europe >> Italy >> Lazio >> Latina

Register

  << Previous Next >>

Papilio Machaon: my 50th post on TN


Papilio Machaon: my 50th post on TN
Photo Information
Copyright: Livio Carroccia (livius) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 179 W: 0 N: 300] (1169)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-12
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D50 Digital SLR, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-04-27 4:31
Viewed: 1021
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dedicated to all MY TN FRIENDS


Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Tribe: Papilionini
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. machaon
Binomial name Papilio machaon
Linnaeus, 1758


The Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. The butterfly is also known as the Common Yellow Swallowtail or, simply, The Swallowtail (a common name applied to all members of the family). It is the type species of the genus Papilio and occurs throughout the Palearctic region in Europe and Asia; it also occurs across North America, and thus is not restricted to the Old World, despite the common name.

Description
This striking butterfly is yellow with black wing and vein markings and a wingspan of 8 to 10 cm. The hind wings of both sexes have a pair of protruding tails which give the butterfly its common name. Just below each tail is a red eye spot.

Distribution
This butterfly is present throughout the entire Palearctic region through Russia to China and Japan (including the Himalayas and Taiwan) and across into Alaska, Canada, and the United States. In Asia it is reported as far south as Saudi Arabia, Oman and the high mountains of Yemen.
In Southern Asia it occurs in Pakistan and Kashmir, Northern India (Sikkim, to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) Nepal, Bhutan and northern Myanmar.
This butterfly is widespread in Europe but in the United Kingdom it is limited to a few areas in the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia. It is the UK's largest resident butterfly. The Monarch Danaus plexippus is slightly larger but is only a rare vagrant.

Taxonomy
There are 37 subspecies.
· Papilio machaon gorganus is strongly migratory in Europe and can be found in almost all habitats.
· In the UK, P. m. brittanicus is an endemic subspecies, but occasionally individuals of the continental subspecies gorganus breed temporarily on the south coast. Subspecies brittanicus differs from the continental subspecies in being more heavily marked in black.
· The Maltese Islands are home to another endemic subspecies, P. m. melitensis.
Status
· Widespread throughout Eurasia, often common and not threatened as a species.
· It is listed as "Vulnerable" in South Korea and the Austrian Red Data Book, and, also in the Red Data Book of the former Soviet Union.
· The Swallowtail is protected by law in the following countries:
· Papilio machaon machaon is protected by law in six provinces of Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
· UK (subsp. brittanicus occurs in the UK, but the law covers all subspecies).
· India (subsp. verityi).

Habitat
In occupied Kashmir, the Common Yellow Swallowtail, as Papilio machaon is called there, inhabits alpine meadows in the Himalayas occurring from 2000 feet in held Kashmir valley to 16,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas. In India Himachal Pradesh, it is found over 4000 feet only and in Sikkim over 8000 feet only.
At lower elevations these butterflies fly from March to September. At higher elevations the butterflies are limited by the short summer seasons.
British subspecies brittanicus is less mobile than its European continental counterpart and stays within or close by its fenland habitat.

Habits
The butterfly has a strong and fast flight but frequently pauses to hover over flowering herbs and sip nectar. It frequents the alpine meadows and hillsides and is fond of 'hilltopping'. At lower elevations it can also be seen visiting gardens.

Life cycle and foodplants
There are usually two to three broods in a year, but in northern areas the species may be single-brooded. In some places like the UK some will pupate and emerge in the same year and others will overwinter as pupae before emerging the following year, a situation known as being partially double brooded.

Caterpillar
The caterpillar spends the first part of its life with the appearance of a bird dropping, an effective defence against predators. As the caterpillar grows larger it becomes green with black and orange markings. The caterpillar still has a defence against predators in the form of an organ called an osmeterium which consists of retractable, fleshy projections behind its head that can release a foul smell.


Foodplants
· Unlike other swallowtails, this species specialises in using plants of family Umbelliferae, females laying eggs singly.
· In the UK Milk Parsley Peucedanum palustre (also known as Marsh Hog's Fennel) is normally the only foodplant used by the caterpillars of the British sub-species and is essential for the survival of populations but plants such as wild angelica Angelica sylvestris are sometimes listed in the scientific literature.
· The foodplants of the Swallowtail in Europe, Asia and North America are more varied than in the UK. It uses a wide variety of Umbellifers including wild carrot Daucus carota, wild angelica Angelica sylvestris, fennel Foeniculum vulgare and hogweeds Heracleum spp.
· In the Maltese Islands, the caterpillar feeds on plants such as rue Ruta chalepensis and fennel Foeniculum vulgare.


Il Macaone (Papilio machaon LINNAEUS, 1758) è una farfalla della famiglia delle Papilionidae, famiglia prevalentemente tropicale, di cui solo 9 specie presenti in Italia.

Descrizione
Adulto
Con i suoi quasi 8 centimetri di apertura alare massima, non è difficile incontrarla e notarla soprattutto nelle campagne o in collina dall'inizio della primavera (periodo in cui le crisalidi sfarfallano), fino ad autunno inoltrato.

Bruco
I bruchi sono verdi con anelli neri punteggiati di giallo.

Abitudini
I bruchi si nutrono di Apiaceae, come ad esempio il finocchio e la carota.
Se disturbati, estroflettono da dietro la testa un paio di ghiandole a forma di corno (osmaterium), che emettono un odore repellente che tiene lontani i predatori.
Elegante ed agile nel volo, il maschio è anche difensore del proprio territorio; se vi capitasse di vederne due che volteggiano vicini in audaci acrobazie, probabilmente uno sta cercando di cacciare l'altro.
Anche il Macaone presenta il tipico comportamento da butterfly hilltopping, ovvero cerca di volare sopra il punto più alto del terreno in cui si trova (dominio).

(Wikipedia)
flashpoint, goldyrs, maurydv, Silvio2006, MMM, matatur, siggi, CatherineD, anel, valy67, Mikolaj, Argus, Heaven, lovenature, boreocypriensis, Alex99, goutham_ramesh, uleko, rousettus 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 Alex99: Papilio Machaonlivius 1 05-12 11:41
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

ciao Livio!
splendida cattura con magnifico impatto visuale per questa elegante farfalla ripresa con ottimi dettagli e colori

complimenti sERGIO

Beautiful composition of "Kırlangıçkuyruk".
TFS.

This is a superb shot, Livio!
I love this shot!
Congratulations on your 50th post!
Goldy

Ciao Livio,
splendida immagine di Macaone ripreso con una particolare angolazione che permette di apprezzare quasi tutte le caratteristiche di questa belllissima farfalla, le leggere sfocature non disturbano e sono ampiamente compensate dalla straordinaria definizione della zona a fuoco, bellissimi i colori con un ottimo bilanciamento del bianco.
Congratulazioni per questa tua 50^ e buon proseguimento con nuove magnifiche immagini come questa.
Maurizio

Ciao Livio, complimenti per la tua cinquantesima, fantastica papilio con meravigliosi colori, sopra un elegante fiore, magnifica messa a fuoco, composizione affascinante, bravissimo, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2009-04-27 7:41]

Hi Livio
Congradulation for your 50th post on the site.Beautiful composition and sharp image.Excellent detail and lovely colors,I also like the nice OOF BG.Excellent text to.
TFS Michel

hello Livio
great composition with very good details and great sharpness
greeting lou

Thanks for the kind dedication and congratulations on your 50th posting Livio, for the occasion you've chosen a superb composition in fine faunal and floral balance. TFS the beautiful image.
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1373 W: 56 N: 4716] (16222)
  • [2009-04-27 9:46]

Hello Livio,
what a beautiful capture of this Papilio machaon,
the composition is nice, lovely colours,
Best regardfs Siggi

Congratulations Livio!
Excellent composition, very dynamic, with beautiful colours. Best regards,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • Marx44 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 174 W: 95 N: 599] (2124)
  • [2009-04-27 11:29]

Hello Livio
Beautiful shot of this butterfly, with fine POV, DOF and framing.
Excellent luminosity of the image, with excellent sharpness
and details, and great eye-contact of the butterfly with you,
TFS
Marx

Ciao Silvio. Dettaglio perfetto per questa regina di bellezza e vanità. Fedelissimi i colorir nonostante la luce non ti abbia di certo aiutato. Complimenti per la 50. Aspettiamo le prossime.

Roberto

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-04-27 15:00]

Ciao Livio,complimenti per le 50! Nulla di meglio per festeggiare la ricorrenza,uno dei soggetti piu' difficili e instabili fotografato alla grande,con un POV da gran maestro...avanti con le prossime 50 adesso..e poi alla 100ma paghi il pranzo..eheheh...buon Martedi',Luciano

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1723 W: 0 N: 3903] (15686)
  • [2009-04-28 4:27]

Bonjour Livio,
Image de Machaon aux couleurs subtiles et au cadrage plaisant. Joli contraste entre la netteté du papillon et l'environnement soft. Le fait que les fleurs soient hors focus ne dérange en aucune manière.
Bien vu et réalisé.
Amitiés
Anne

Hello Livio !
Cngratulations on your 50 th post ! I have not seen all of your pictures, but those I have seen are all wonderful ! You are a very talented photographer, and I hope to see 50 or 100 or 1000 more from you ! The details on the butterfly's bod are excellent, but I also like the composition, the POV from the sid and the very discrete colors very much. Very well done !
Valérie.

Cao Livio! Good capture. Perfect shot. Nice light and colours. Congratulations 50th post on TN! Well done!

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2009-04-29 12:36]

Hello Livio,
A fine capture of P. machaon taken from a lateral POV with the wings half ope, which makes total sharpness very difficult but the parts in focus are very sharp.
Congratulations on this, your 50th posting!
I hope to see many more from you!
Thanks and best wishes,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 810 W: 108 N: 1735] (6054)
  • [2009-04-29 21:37]

Cher Livio

J'espère que le français te convient mieux que l'anglais...

Je trouve ton image superbe! Elle mérite bien la petite étoile verte. Elle sort du cadre de ce que nous voyons régulièrement, surtout en ce qui concerne le point de vue et la lumière. En plus, les couleurs sont superbes! Tes notes détaillées sont très intéressantes.

Amitiés

Markus

Hi dear Livio ,
Really aa perfect shot.
This is so nice with great details and nice BG.
Excelent composition too.
I like it.

Kind regards
Saeed

  • Great 
  • erve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 90 W: 5 N: 119] (580)
  • [2009-05-01 12:15]

Hi livio,
Excellent composition and beautiful serene colours. Pin sharp with perfect details.

TFS

ewan

Hi Livio
Congratulations on your 50th post and sharing this beautiful Papilio Machaon. Nice sharp details and vivid color create this nice portrait. Excellent notes too.
TFS Janice

Hola Livio,
una bonita manera de celebrar tu fotografía número 50. Buen enfoque y atractiva luz, aunque yo destacaría sobre todo las formas y las líneas. Un bonito conjunto.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

Hi Livius,
Stunningly perfect macro capture of this beautiful swallowtail from nice POV with excellent details and nice composition. Also Congrats on your 50th posting on TN!
TFS and cheers,

Bayram
PS. since i am in trip to SE and E Anatolia (that i have not get time for internet), sorry for delaying in feedback.

Ciao Livio,
What a superb macro vith DOF, colours and sharp detailsare perfect.TFS.
Cheers,

hAyAti

Hi, dear Livio.
I am happy to have such kind and skill friend here. Your contribution here and my TN-live is huge. Many thanks for wonderful post and pictures. warm comments and encouragement. Your shot is very special and reflect your own approach to photography. It is true art picture. You know I love widest DOF. You have applied large aperture value and got amazing artistic effect. Crisp sharp head, antennas and body of a fine specimen are surrounded with amazing and precisely blurred flowers and BG. Bravo. Perfect creative work. Kind wishes and many new so stunning art pictures.
Alexei.

Hi Livio,
congrats to yout 50th post.
Very beautiful soft colors and great sharpness on the body of the butterfly.
I like POV and the Flowers in the foreground.
TFS Tatjana

unusual POV and its pleasant to watch. I like the colors and the composition, ideally could have avoided the flower in the front, but thats a non issue as we cannot control where this guy sits

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2009-06-24 3:04]

Hello Livio,
Congratulations on your 50th post!! This is a lovely artistic composition in lovely soft light and colours. Very well done!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

ciao Livio
what a nice capture and what a nice slection to celebrate 50th post. great capture for beautiful Swallowtail. sharp focus, POV, exposure and colors great. I wish you many hundred post here. TFS, best wishes
Ahmet

beautiful delicate pic, TFS Ori

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF