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Brangas caranus


Brangas caranus
Photo Information
Copyright: Jesus Linares (jlinaresp) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 419 W: 14 N: 822] (3133)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-24
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon SX 110 IS
Exposure: f/4, 1/400 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): South American Butterflies 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-06-28 6:02
Viewed: 439
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Spanish]
Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to spend the day testing the combination of parameters F/4.0, 1/400s, ISO 100 and flash to 33%, to capture small subjects in bright conditions difficult.

One of the photos was captured this butterfly. I wanted to publish it because, besides being an insect quite striking and interesting colors, it was quite difficult to photograph, because it is a butterfly, very nervous and not very given to enable him hold the camera lens.

However, if you look good, an insect standing on the upper wing of the butterfly, he won the game! ... that if he could come! quite curious!

NOTE: The photo was taken on a hillside in the mountains of the Cordillera Central North, Carabobo, Venezuela, about 1350 meters above sea level.

With regard to ID, I could not clear. However, here in TN I have learned that it is a butterfly belonging to the family of the Lycaenidae; one of the most numerous among these insects.

With that, I can at least add the information on the family, within the note:

The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. They constitute about 40% of the known butterfly species.

The family is traditionally divided into the subfamilies of the blues (Polyommatinae), the coppers (Lycaeninae), the hairstreaks (Theclinae) and the harvesters (Miletinae); others include also the Lipteninae, Liphyrinae and Poritiinae. A few authorities still include the family Riodinidae within the Lycaenidae. The sole member of the subfamily Styginae is represented by Styx infernalis from the Peruvian Andes. Recent molecular evidence places Styginae within the family Riodinidae.

Adults are small, under 5 cm usually, and brightly coloured, sometimes with a metallic gloss. The male's forelegs are reduced in size and lack claws.
Larvae are often flattened rather than cylindrical, with glands that may produce secretions that attract and subdue ants. Their cuticles tend to be thickened. Some larva are capable of producing vibrations and low sounds that are transmitted through the plants. They use these sounds to communicate with ants.

Adult individuals often have hairy antenna-like tails complete with black and white annulated appearance. Many species also have a spot at the base of the tail and some turn around upon landing to confuse potential predators from recognizing the true head orientation. This causes predators to approach from the true head end resulting in early visual detection.

Lycaenids are diverse in their food habits and apart from phytophagy, some of them are entomophagous feeding on aphids and ant larvae. Some of them are also associated with ant and are fed by ants. Not all Lycaenidae butterflies need ants, but about 75% of species associate with ants. The term used to describe such ant association is myrmecophily. These associations can be mutualistic, parasitic or predatory, depending on the species.
In some species, larvae are attended and protected by ants while feeding on the host plant, and the ants receive sugar-rich honeydew from them, throughout the larval life. In other species, only the first few instars are spent on the plant, and the remainder of the larval lifespan is spent as a predator within the ant nest. It becomes a parasite, feeding on ant regurgitations, or a predator on the ant larvae.

The caterpillars pupate inside the ant's nest and the ants continue to look after the pupa. Just before the adult emerges the wings of the butterfly inside the pupal case detach from it, and the pupa becomes silvery. The adult butterfly emerges from the pupa after 3-4 weeks, still inside the ant nest. The butterfly must crawl out of the ant nest before it can expand its wings.
Several evolutionary adaptations enable these associations and they include small glands on the skin of the caterpillars called pore cupola organs. Caterpillars of many species except those of the Riodininae have a gland on the 7th abdominal segment that produces honey dew and is called the dorsal nectary gland (also called Newcomer's gland). An eversible organ called the tentacular organ is present on the 8th abdominal segment (third segment of thorax in the Riodininae) and this is cylindrical and topped with a ring of spikes and emits chemical signals which are believed to help in communicating with ants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaenidae

***************************************
ID: Thanks to Peter (Batu) for the information, he knows all!

The species is "Brangas caranus"
jconceicao, nglen, ramthakur, accassidy, uleko, goldyrs, Silvio2006, briGG, Noisette, jaycee, CeltickRanger, siggi, goutham_ramesh has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To briGG: Re: Tiny spiderjlinaresp 1 06-28 14:25
To ramthakur: RE: Lycaenidadejlinaresp 1 06-28 07:35
To batu: RE: ID (Thanks!)jlinaresp 1 06-28 06:49
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2348 W: 92 N: 5361] (17140)
  • [2009-06-28 6:21]

Hello neighbour Jesus,
Nice shot you got here. The BG is a bit busy, but the butterfly itself is very good. Excellent sharp details and natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

Olá Jesus,

Fantastica capture.
Lindas cores com excellente detalhe.
Luz e definição espectaculares.
Gostei da nota.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2865 W: 34 N: 8488] (31708)
  • [2009-06-28 6:30]

Hi Jesus. Firstly tanks for the interesting notes to go with this richly coloured picture of the Butterfly. Which you have taken with fine detail and sharp focusing. Well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1056 W: 289 N: 3918] (13218)
  • [2009-06-28 6:37]
  • [+]

Hola Jesus,
thank you for posting a picture of this interesting Lycaenidae species.
Wing patterns are nicely visible and colours are well reproduced.
Sharpness could be a bit better as you can estimate fromthe small insect (Hymenoptera?)
resting in the upper part of the forewing. But as you say you try to improve with new combinations.
The species belongs to the genus Brangas. It is most probably Brangas caranus.
Best wishes, Peter

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1299 W: 0 N: 2470] (8765)
  • [2009-06-28 6:49]

Hi Jesus,
beautiful butterfly and superbs sharpness. the pattern is very special and you have shown it effectively.
nicely presented in its natural surroundings.

regards,
Foozi

This is a strikingly beautiful butterfly, Jesus, and I think you are right about its genus -- Lycaenidae.
I have a feeling we have seen this butterfly for the first time on TN. If it is so, then you have posted a break-through image here for which you deserve full credit.
The picture is well taken with the camera readings you have supplied in your note and on the picture itself.
The subject is in sharp focus, the colours are well recorded and the composition is very attractive.
I can see some insect perched on the wing of the butterfly, so that way it is a double subject shot :).
Congratulations and well done.
Ram

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 15 N: 1562] (6091)
  • [2009-06-28 7:57]

Hello Jesus
Nice capture with a butterfly that I never seen before. Excellent details and natural colors. Well done.
Regards
Razvan

Hello Jesus,
You have made good use of the flash to help in difficult lighting conditions. However, at f/4 the depth of field is very shallow and it will be difficult to get shots with all of the butterfly in focus. As this setup gives you a lot of light to play with, it might be worth experimenting with something like 1/125th at f/11. Very good to have more South American Lycaenidae on TN. Thanks.
Alan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2961 W: 162 N: 826] (2453)
  • [2009-06-28 8:19]

Hello Jesus,
Wow, what a splendid Lycaenidae butterfly that I've never seen before! Lovely details of the beautiful wing patterns and the little tails. Beautiful colours too and well composed.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3750 W: 187 N: 11171] (34499)
  • [2009-06-28 8:22]

Hello Jesús,
A very fine capture of this impressive Lycaenid butterfly taken from a fine POV to show its closed wings with good sharpness, though the BG is not ideal to show it up. It's a beautiful species though and a rarity on TN.
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan

beautiful butterfly, also your techs seemed to work for this image has come out with great details. tfs!

interessante questa specie di Lycaenidae,
buoni i dettagli e i colori
complimenti Jesus

ciao sERGIO

Ciao Jesus. What exciting POV to appreciate this beautiful and coloured butterfly! TFS.

Roberto

I have never seen this butterfly, Jesus!
Very well timed shot, love the colours and the presentation!
Very informative note, too!
Goldy

Ciao Jesus, you are right, Peter is great:)
thanks for this elegant butterfly, I never see before, fantastic colors, splendid sharpness and fine details, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • briGG Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 171 W: 2 N: 272] (1383)
  • [2009-06-28 14:12]
  • [+]

Hello Jesus,

Good shot of this Brangas caranus! I don't know!!

The colors are very strange, red and black!

I see a small spider on his wing… Do I see well?

Have a good day

brigitte

bonjour voisin
merci pour votre gentil commentaire sur ma dernière photo
votre image n'est pas mal non plus, elle est même superbe, la papillon lui-même est très beau et très net avec de superbes details et de magnifique couleurs
Passe une bonne nuit
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-06-28 16:39]

Hi Jesus,

I have not seen this beauty before. And it really is a beauty with those wonderful deep rich colors. Lovely markings with the white contrasting so well with the darker colors. I love the composition.

Jane

hello Jesus

another of your best and most beautiful photos,
excellent macro-photo with very fine POV, DOF and framing,
fine focus excellent sharpness and details, excellent contrast,

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1338 W: 56 N: 4515] (15556)
  • [2009-06-28 23:04]

Hello Jesus,
This photo is beautiful. You take it from low POV with sharp details, clear BG and wonderful colors. Well done.
Best regards Siggi

hello great shot well done

Hi Jesus,
A nice capture of this beautiful butterfly. Very well composed with good details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hola Jesús,
preciosa esta Brangas, que por lo que he podido encontrar por internet, solo se dan por América Central; así estgán más tranquilas que esto acá está bastante contaminado jeje.
Preciosas tonalidades y belleza del conjunto.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

Striking colors Jesus! and your experiment almost paid! Irresepective of the F stop that you choose, by going parallel to the subject you can optimize the DOF to include most of the subject's body and that's what you should try.
TFS
Goutham

great colours, TFS Ori

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