|
|
|
Small copper
 |
| Photo Information |
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 509 W: 2 N: 2049]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (6428) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-08-20 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-08-31 0:56 |
| Viewed: 225 |
| Points: 26 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch] |
Today a butterfly the Small copper.
Tese fremale small copper are sitting on a rare and Red list flower in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Latin name - Lycaena phlaeas
A common and widespread little butterfly easily identifiable in the UK. (There are similar species in continental Europe). The upperside forewings are a bright orange with a dark outside edge border and with eight or nine black spots. The hindwings are dark with an orange border. Some females also have a row of blue spots inside the orange border and are known as form caeruleopunctata The undersides are pattenered in a similar way but are paler. The black spots on the forewings are outlined in yellow and the dark colouring is replaced by a pale brownish, gray. The hindwings are the same brown/grey colour with small black dots and a narrow orange border. The larva varies in colour, usually green but sometimes with a purple stripe down the middle of the back and along each side.
In bright sun it is a very active little butterfly with the males setting up small territories which they will defend vigorously against rival males or indeed any unlucky passing insect. Even the shadow of a large bird passing overhead is enough to get him going. Females are pursued mercilessly and mating usually occurs low down in vegetation.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in a wide variety range of habitats from chalk downlands, heathland, woodland clearings to churchyards and waste ground in cities and can be found almost anywhere in south/central England and Wales although never, it seems, in large numbers. Its distribution becomes more patchy in northern England, Scotland and Ireland. It is widespread and common across Europe, Asia and North America, and also found in North Africa.
Life cycle and ecology
Depending on the habitat Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) are the two main foodplants although other Docks (Rumex) species are occasionally used. The eggs are laid singly on the underside of foodplant leaves and the young larvae feeds on the underside of the leaf creating "windows" by leaving the upper epidermis of the leaf untouched. Pupation takes place in the leaf litter and the pupa is thought to be tended by ants. There are between two and three broods a year, fewer the further north you go. In exceptionally good years a fourth brood sometimes occurs in the south and adults can still be seen flying into November. The butterfly overwinters as a larva.
The flower are Devilsbit Scabious
Latin name- Succisa pratensis
Succisa pratensis Moench also known as Devils-bit Scabious, is a flowering plant of the genus Succisa in the family Dipsacaceae. It differs from other similar species in that it has 4 lobed flowers, whereas Small Scabious and Field scabious have 5 lobes and hence it has been placed in a separate genus in the same family. It also grows on damper ground.
Its leaves are also un-lobed unlike Field scabious, and are arranged in opposite pairs. The leaves and plant can be confused with Greater Knapweed however Knapweed has leaves that are alternate, not opposite.
It prefers moist soil - damp meadows and woods, lowland heath, marshy areas; but will tolerate drier conditions. Male and female flowers are produced on different heads, the female being smaller3. Flowers from June until October.
It is a good source of nectar and is the foodplant of Marsh fritillary.It's eggs are laid in groups on the underside of the foodplant. As both plant and invertabrate are rare, their survival relies on careful management of sites containing these species.
Species of scabious were used to treat Scabies, and may other afflictions of the skin including sores caused by the Bubonic Plague1. The word scabies comes from the Latin word for "scratch" (scabere). The short black root was in folk tales bitten off by the devil, angry at the plants abilitiy to cure these ailments, in anger against the Virgin Mary5, or as part of some 'devilish plot'.
The aim is to produce an uneven patchwork of short and long vegetation by the end of the grazing period, between 8 and 25 cm. This is to allow the Devil's Bit Scabious food plant to grow.
This can be achieved through low intensity grazing (also known as extensive grazing) using cattle. Sheep are not so good as they are more efficient at removing wild plants. |
jconceicao, zulfu, eqshannon, jaycee, nglen, xTauruSx, boreocypriensis, haraprasan, nirmalroberts, uleko has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
Hello Gert,
Fantastic close up.
Lighting and sharpness are excellent.
Colours and composition are good.
- zulfu
(669)
- [2008-08-31 2:30]
-
Hello Gert, wonderful close-up. Great composition too.
TFS and regards,
Mehmet
You did some pretty neat tricks to get the butterfly spot on colour and the flower just a tad out so as not to hog the action A very nice and coloured preset nations.
bob
-
- gondox
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 279 W: 61 N: 236]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1191) - [2008-08-31 4:55]
-
Hi Gert!
Wonderful light through the wing, it gives a nice glow to it! Very well composed image, with nice colors and bokeh. TFS!
Best regards,
Andor
-
- jaycee
(16081)
- [2008-08-31 9:35]
-
Hi Gert,
A very pretty butterfly in a wonderful pose on the lovely flower. I love the light through the wing. Nice to see both sides of the wing. Beautiful colors, sharp details and a lovely composition.
Jane
-
- nglen
(22526)
- [2008-08-31 12:14]
-
Hi Gert. A good close up of this Small copper . I like the way the light shines throught the wings showing the colours and markings. A nice ose on the bright flower. well done TFS interesting notes too.
Nick..
Hello Gert, wonderful macro shot of this butterfly. TFS and regards,
Deniz
Hi Big Bro Gert, an another splendid macro capture of a butterfly againts the direct sun light. Perfectly composed too.
Many thanks for sharing this excelent shot! Have a nice new week!
Cheers,
Bayram
Hi Gert,
A nice capture of this beautiful small copper butterfly. Very well composed with sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.
-
- Jamesp
(15194)
- [2008-08-31 23:36]
-
Hi Gert
Abeautifu;l shot - grea pose and wonderful use of the backlight with it shining through the butterflies' wings.
James
Hi Gert, beautiful little butterfly on splendid frlower, great colors, good details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
Hello Gert,
Lovely butterfly. Very nice light effect on the upper wings. TFS.
- Nirmal
-
- uleko
(24879)
- [2008-09-02 7:02]
-
Hello Gert,
Lovely capture of the Small Copper in a fine pose on the pretty blue flower. Sharp details and beautiful back lighting. A fine green background too and well composed.
TFS and regards, Ulla
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 208 W: 12 N: 179]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(808)