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Polyommatus icarus
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: iovescu andrei (andrei99)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 75 W: 6 N: 86]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (737) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2009-05-24 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/640 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Map: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-05-29 1:39 |
| Viewed: 271 |
| Points: 14 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.
Male uppersides are an iridescent lilac blue with a thin black border. Females are brown with a row of red spots along the edges. They usually have some blue at the base of the wings and, especially in Ireland and Scotland, are mostly blue but always have the red spots. Undersides have a greyish ground colour in the males and more brownish in the females. Both sexes have a row of red spots along the edge of the hindwings (extending onto the forewings though generally fainter, particularly in the males where they are sometimes missing altogether). There are about a dozen black centered white spots on the hind wings, nine on the forwings. The white fringe on the outer edge of the wings is not crossed with black lines as it is in the Chalkhill and Adonis Blues, an important difference when separating these species, particularly the females.
It is Britain's (and probably Europe's) most common and most widespread blue, found as far north as Orkney and on most of the Outer Hebrides. Males are often very obvious as they defend territories against rivals and search out the more reclusive females. A range of grassland habitats are used: meadows, coastal dunes, woodland clearings and also many man made habitats, anywhere where their food plants are found.
It is widespread in Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia.
Recently, Polyommatus icarus was discovered in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada by Ara Sarafian. An amateur entomologist, he had been observing the butterfly from 2005 to 2008. He contacted the Canadian National Collection of Insects in Ottawa where the butterfly was identified as P. icarus, a new alien butterfly to Canada and North America. The butterfly seems to be well established and is extending its range from year to year (Source: http://www.entsocont.com/Newsletter_Dec_2007.pdf).
The main food plant on most sites is Bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Others used include Black Medick Medicago lupulina, Common Restharrow Ononis repens, White Clover Trifolium repens and Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium. Eggs are laid singly on young shoots of their food plants.
The caterpillar is small, pale green with yellow stripes and as usual with lycid larvae rather slug-like. Hibernation occurs as a half grown larvae. They are attractive to ants but not as much as some other species of blues. The chrysalis is olive green/brown and formed on the ground where it is attended by ants which will often take it into their nests. The larvae creates a substance called honey dew, which the ants eat while the butterfly lives in the ant hill. In the south of Britain there are two broods a year flying in May and June and again in August and September. Northern England has one brood flying between June and September. In a long warm year there is sometimes a partial third brood in the south flying into October. |
nglen, CatherineD has marked this note useful
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Hi
It seem we both have the same butterfly but with different views.
Good focus with good dof. Colours are clear and natural. You managed to get a good oof background. Thanks for sharing.
Regards Bill
- joska
(5460)
- [2009-05-29 3:41]
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Foarte frumoase culori, claritate buna, prezentare speciei la fel, felicitari!
Ciao Andrei, beautiful composition with lovely maiting couple on nice flowers, fantastic details and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
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- zetu
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 647 W: 15 N: 1589]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(6203) - [2009-05-29 5:39]
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Salut
Faina, ai obtinut detalii bune iar focusul e perfect.
Razvan
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- nglen
(32146)
- [2009-05-29 12:54]
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Hi iovescu . Firstly thanks for the intersting notes. A very good close up picture of the two Butterflies on the white flower. You have taken them with good detail and colours. well done TFs.
Nick..
Have a nice weekend.
Hello Andrei,
Excellent shot, very sharp, well composed.
Best regards,
Catherine
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- Marx44
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 174 W: 95 N: 599]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2124) - [2009-05-30 0:56]
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Beautiful butterfly image Andrei
Light, colors and clarity are wonderful.
Composition is excellent.
Best regards and have a nice weekend, Marx
