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Plebeius argus male


Plebeius argus male
Photo Information
Copyright: Harm Alberts (Harm-digitaal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 7 N: 1844] (7009)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-18
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): European butterflies 1, Lepidoptera: Butterflies and Moths 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-12-13 4:50
Viewed: 1056
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Plebeius argus male / Silver-studded Blue male / Heideblauwtje mannetje /Geißklee Bläuling / Argusblåvinge on Heather.

Males are deep blue with a dark border and white fringe, and can be distinguished from other blue butterflies by the presence of a spur on the front legs. Females are brown, but both sexes possess metallic silver spots on the hindwings. The caterpillar grows to 1.3 cm in length, and is green in colour with a dark stripe along the back, and white stripes along the sides.

The silver-studded blue is widespread in temperate areas of Europe and Asia

Habitat:
Found in lowland heathland, chalk grasslands, and some sand dunes. In all three habitats, the species needs short vegetation and ants of the genus Lasius. A supply of the main larval foodplants is also essential. These include a wide range of plants, the more common being heather, bell heather, cross-leaved heath and gorses on heathland, as well as common bird's foot trefoil, common rock-rose and horseshoe vetch on calcareous sites.

The adult flight period occurs between July and August on heathland and between June and mid-July on calcareous grasslands. There is a single brood a year; eggs are laid singly near the ground where they overwinter. The following spring the larvae hatch, soon after hatching they are closely tended by ants of the genus Lasius which are attracted by sugar-rich secretions produced by the caterpillar, and provide protection against predators. Pupation usually occurs in or near to ant nests, and the pupa continues to be protected by ants.

Harm
phlr, livios, Dave, fiyo, ellis49 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1241 W: 129 N: 881] (2814)
  • [2005-12-13 5:01]

Very nice shot of this Lycaenidae!
Good BG!
Beautiful colours too!
Not common in Portugal.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-12-13 10:09]

Harm, I guess we have similar ones here in Brazil.

Very nice composition and pose.

I like pov and colors too.

Maybe, I'd try to add a little bit of sharpness, but that's just an opinion.

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 525 W: 47 N: 674] (2173)
  • [2005-12-13 11:19]

This is beautiful Harm!
So delicate and pretty in color!
Excellent!
Thanks for sharing,
Dave

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2762] (10618)
  • [2005-12-13 13:14]

Hello Harm,
Very good macro,
Great colours, good details and composition
Well done

Hi Harm,
is a nice shot with good POV and composition.
Nice colours anf good DOF. IMO is't a bit soft, but still a very nice picture.
Very well done.

Nice capture Harm,
Good detail and colours. Great POV and sharpness.
Nicely composed and good exposure.
Thanks for posting. Have a good week.

Hi Harm

A very well composed shot. Excellent POV. Good light and great colours. Sharpness and detail are spot on. Nice work. TFS.

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