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Inachis io nectar eating


Inachis io nectar eating
Photo Information
Copyright: Harm Alberts (Harm-digitaal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 7 N: 1842] (7001)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): European Butterflies 3, Peacock Butterflies [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-04-25 5:44
Viewed: 838
Points: 11
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Inachis io on lamium purpureum / peacock butterfly on lamium purpureum / Dagpauwoog op paarse dovenetel / Tagpfauenauge auf Purpurrote Taubnesse / Épine noire au Lamier pourpre.

The Peacock (Inachis io) is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe and Asia. It is the only member of the genus Inachis. The species is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring.

The butterfly measures about 5 cm (2 in) from wingtip to wingtip and is easily identified by its striking eye pattern on a ruddy background, although with wings closed the cryptically coloured underwings make it look like a dead leaf. The eyespots are reminiscent of those on the feathers of the peacock, hence the name. They are believed to be used to frighten predators (such as birds) by creating a false perception of another predator (note how a glance at the image can give the impression of a cat staring).

The butterfly hibernates over winter before laying its eggs in early spring, in batches of up to 500 at a time. The caterpillars, which are shiny black with six rows of barbed spikes and a series of white dots on each segment, hatch after about a week and feed on nettles and hops. The adult butterflies drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, including buddleia, sallows, dandelions, wild marjoram, danewort, hemp agrimony, and clover; they also utilize tree sap and rotten fruit.

The Peacock can be found in woods, fields, meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens, and from lowlands up to 8,200 feet elevation. It is the commonest butterfly seen in parks and gardens in Europe.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_%28butterfly%29

Harm
phlr, ALIRIZA has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Harm,
Very colorful shot.Excellent macro. Point of view, details, framing and composition are very nice. Congratulations...
Ali Rıza

Hello Harm,
A beautiful butterfly plus beautiful flowers are perfect match. Well done and TFS.
JC

hi
belles couleurs mais le papillon est un peu flou.
laurent

Hi Harm,
that's a pretty arrangement, even if the focus is not exact on the butterfly.
I like to look how interested the peacock is at his meal on the nice flower, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1241 W: 129 N: 881] (2814)
  • [2006-04-27 3:36]

You have a "close encounter of the third kind" with this beautiful specie, Harm!
I never saw one since last year!
Very interesting POV and colours!
Very good DOF!
5* and TFS!

Hullo, Harm!

Excellent composition and, mainly, I like that you focus attention on the body and not on the wings of the butterfly. I like watching reality from another point of view. TFS.

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