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Maculinea alcon
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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: 2009-06-15 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Map: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-06-15 23:23 |
| Viewed: 374 |
| Points: 10 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maculinea alcon, more commonly known as Alcon Blue or Alcon Large Blue, is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family and is found in Europe and Northern Asia.[1] It can be seen flying in mid to late summer. Like some other species of Lycaenidae, its larva (caterpillar) stage depends on support by certain ants; it is therefore known as a myrmecophile.
The butterfly lays its eggs onto the Marsh Gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe); in the region of the Alps they are sometimes also found on the related Willow Gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea).[2] The caterpillars eat no other plants.
Alcon larvae leave the food plant when they have grown sufficiently (4th instar) and wait on the ground below to be discovered by ants. The larvae emit surface chemicals (allomones) that closely match those of ant larvae, causing the ants to carry the Alcon larvae into their nests and place them in their brood chambers, where they are fed by worker ants and where they devour ant larvae.[3]
When the Alcon larva is fully developed it pupates. Once the adult hatches it must run the gauntlet of escaping. The ants recognise the butterfly to be an intruder, but when they go to attack it with their jaws they can't grab anything substantial as the newly emerged adult butterfly is thickly clothed in loosely attached scales.[4]
Over time, some ant colonies that are parasitized in this manner will slightly change their larva chemicals as a defense, leading to an evolutionary "arms race" between the two species.[5]
Generally, Lycaenidae species which have a myrmecophilous relationship with the ant genus Myrmica are locked to primary host specificity. The Alcon Blue is unusual in this regard in that it uses different host species in different locations throughout Europe. It is known to use Myrmica scabrinodis, Myrmica ruginodis, and Myrmica rubra as the primary host within differing European zones.
The Maculinea alcon larvae are sought underground by the Ichneumon eumerus wasp. On detecting a M. alcon larva the wasp enters the nest and sprays a pheromone that causes the ants to attack each other. In the resulting confusion the wasp locates the butterfly larva and injects it with its eggs. On pupation, the wasp eggs hatch and consume the chrysalis from the inside.[6] |
accassidy, maurydv has marked this note useful
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Hello Andrei,
Thanks for posting this fine image. The species is not one we see often on TN, and you have captured it well. TFS
Alan
Hello Iovescu,
a splendid capture of the Alcon Large Blue taken from an excellent POV with very good sharpness, composed very well.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio
Ciao Andrei, lovely little butterfly with fine details, splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
- lousat
(19589)
- [2009-06-16 14:55]
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Hi Andrei,very nice pov to show us perfeclty this little butterfly.And i know how isn't easy to take a pic like that whit this fantastic quality..ehehe...my best compliments,have a nice day,LUCIANO
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- PeterZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2377 W: 94 N: 5465]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(17432) - [2009-06-17 5:26]
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Hello Andrei.
Wonderful light in this photo. Exactly there where it belongs. Great clear colours contrasting against the dark BG. Good sharpness and POV.
Regards,
Peter
