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Pyrgus malvae - Grizzled Skipper
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Pyrgus malvae from Fleeting Memories From Summer -06
In the beginning of August I came across this little Skipper which normally appears with only one generation in Sweden: from the middle of May through June. Single individuals might rarely be seen in August and may be considered a partial second generation, so I was quite happy to find it here together with another rare occurrence, namely that of P. armoricanus (to be posted next).
The Hesperoidea can be recognized by the clubs of the antennae being bent outwards and the antennae themselves being set wider apart at the base than in Papilionoidea; they are also supposed to have a tuft of hair at the roots of the antennae, a feature which this picture unfortunately is not sufficiently detailed to illustrate. The white spots on the wings are more numerous and more distinct, particularly on the hindwings, in the P. malvae than in other Nordic Pyrginae. It flies close along the ground with swift swirling wing beats and looks like "a grey fluff of dust". Although good flyers, most Hesperiidae do not fly far from their local areas but remain fairly faithful to their habitats.
Worldwide it can be seen from Spain/England across Europe to Japan. Host plants are Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry), (Potentilla spp.), esp. Potentilla erecta (Tormentil). The specimen in this shot is drawing nectar from Hieracium (Hawkweed) sp.
Taxonomy:
Family: Hesperiidae, from Hesperia, one of the Hesperid nymphs guarding Hera's Golden Apples
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Genus: Pyrgus, from Gr. pýrgos (πύργος) which denotes a wall/defence tower, probably alluding to the crenellation-like pattern on the fringes of the wings, supposedly reminding of the corner of a defence wall with loopholes (!).
Species: malvae, genitive of malva, the Genus of Mallows which Linnaeus mistakenly thought were the host plants of this "Pyrgina", hence its binomial name!
Swedish "Kattostvisslare" (from Malva sp.) is now obsolete, "Smultronvisslare" (from Fragaria sp.) being the established name.
For names in most European vernaculars, distribution maps, etc., the interested student is recommended to visit Chris Jonko's (Christopher_PL on TN) great site European Butterflies with other excellent links.
References:
1: Nationalnyckeln till Sveriges flora och fauna: Fjärilar - Dagfjärilar. Hesperiidae - Nymphalidae (2005),
and
2: Bo Söderström: Svenska fjärilar. En fälthandbok (2006) |
ellis49, Maite, uleko, SkyF, Tamrock has marked this note useful
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Hej Göran,
nice to see a psot from you again.
The details are maybe a bit oof but the compostion and ÅPV are very fine. And the DOF is very nice too, the subject standout well from the BG.
Well done, mf.
- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2615 W: 133 N: 7512]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(23431) - [2007-02-18 1:43]
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Hej Göran,
Nice to see this shot of the Grizzled Skipper, not only for the quality of this shot but because you have decided to take an active part in TN again. Your comments are amusing, instructive and a good contribution to this site.
As to the shot itself: though this skipper is a little worn, this is a pretty sharp image with good POV, well composed and with fine neutral BG.
Hope to see more of your work and comments.
From an old (with emphasis on the 'old') butterfly enthusiast.
Ivan
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- Maite
(4936)
- [2007-02-18 4:42]
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Hello Goran
Excellent shot! You captured a beautiful Pyrginae b. Sharpness and dof are very good and I like very much the colors and composition.
My compliments and TFS.
Maite
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- uleko
(23630)
- [2007-02-18 7:40]
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Hej Göran,
Good to see you back! It looks like you're making a new start with this beautiful shot!
I like the square framing and the colours are very beautiful. Sharp details and the composition is excellent.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla
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- SkyF
(8113)
- [2007-02-18 9:51]
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Hello Goran,
nice shot of this wonderful skipper. Excellent POV , allows a nice view of the wings with it's wonderful markings. Nice sharpness and great colors. Lovely composition.
TFS..Sky
bonjour goran
je crois que vous ouvert le bal du retour des papillon en europe avec ce cliché.
bien detaillé et mis en valeur devant ce BG bien flou.
c'est tres bon.
laurent
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 136 W: 35 N: 239]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}