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Pararge xiphia, Madeiran endemite.


Pararge xiphia, Madeiran endemite.
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter Stoeckl (peter_stoeckl) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1539 W: 269 N: 3360] (9353)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-30
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 4600
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): European Butterflies 2, Satyrinae - Worldwide - 2 - [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-01-15 5:14
Viewed: 1558
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Pararge xiphia (Fabricius, 1775)
Madeiran Speckled Wood

Wing span: 55 – 58 mm

This species is endemic to Madeira, and cannot be observed at any other place. It is an inhabitant of the primary laurisilva forest that island is famous for. Caterpillars probably feed on grass.

The species is not very common in its locations, quite shy, and a good flier. So I am happy to have captured that rare species during a two weeks vacation in Madeira.

Since 1967, Pararge xiphia is no longer the only member of the Pararge subfamily in Madeira. The significantly smaller Pararge aegeria from the distant European mainland has arrived – probably drifted over by strong winds from Portugal, or maybe eggs, caterpillars or chrysalis brought in by a gardener – without knowing - together with some plants.

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Europe/Portugal/photo38650.htm

Since the late 1970s, P. aegeria has become much more common in Madeira than the endemite species P. xiphia. It is an open question: Does P. aegeria endanger P. xiphia by taking over its habitat? So far, the two species seem to inhabit different locations, P. aegeria preferring the secondary eucalypt and pine forests, P. xiphia keeping to the endemic laurisilva forest.

The picture was taken in Madeira, hiking along a levada from Ribeiro Frio to Portela, at the edge of the laurisilva forest between Lamaceiros and Portela. August 30, 2005, using a small pocket camera: Nikon CoolPix 4600.

Thank you for looking.
Have a nice day!
wallhalla15, phlr, Merlin, TAZ, carper, xuaxo, cicindela has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To carper: Thank you, Jaap.peter_stoeckl 1 02-07 05:08
To Merlin: xiphia - hindwing bitten offpeter_stoeckl 2 01-15 16:14
To phlr: Madeira, Portugalpeter_stoeckl 1 01-15 12:01
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Peter, sehr schöne Aufnahme vom Madeira Waldbrettspiel. Sehr gute Schärfe und ein schöner Hintergrund. Danke für das schöne Foto.
Gruß
Heinz

Thank you, Peter - that's a beautiful photograph of the butterfly in its environment (and another one that's had a bite taken out of its hindwing). Nicely lit, well exposed and very sharp.
Regards, Nigel.

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1276 W: 133 N: 862] (2772)
  • [2006-01-15 6:09]
  • [+]

Very good!
I can see that you are in my country, in Madeira!
Very good photo of this Satyridae!
Very good on colours and details!
TFS!

PERFECT picture!!
Harm

Wonderful photo, composition and technically wise! Thanks for sharing - Xplorator Radu

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 50 N: 3190] (10896)
  • [2006-01-29 13:44]

It is realy a pretty butterfly that you have well captured ! Colors and sharpness are great. I also appreciate the complementary note... Congratulations Peter and thanks for sharing.

only 14 point Peter,
But this is a nice one,the pov is very good, the dof is great, the point of view is good, the only thing I would do better here is the little noise, but farther it is very good, with my compliments.
gr. jaap

  •      
  • xuaxo Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 16] (112)
  • [2006-11-05 12:29]

Wonderful details, in a nice scene and background.
F

Vauvv, a very nice one exactly! Next year I hope to visit Canary Islands and Madeira, so an important photo to see:)

See you later..

Hello Peter!
As you know I am not a specialist from Lepidoptera but as an entomologist I like a lot to watch different, unknown insects for me. This Madeiran endemic is no exception :)
Very nice colours and sharpness, and as always professional note. I also see that this is not easy to see the "complete" individual as this specimen is rather not very young :)
Best withes,
Radomir

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