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Rice Paper Butterfly
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This large, striking, black-and-white butterfly is also known as the rice-paper butterfly, perhaps because of the unusual texture of the wings, but also perhaps because the way it flits and floats in the air is said to be like a piece of paper drifting in the wind. Another name is the paper-kite butterfly. The base of the wings, where they join the thorax, are tinted yellow. The front legs are short and brush-like and useless for walking. Often found in butterfly parks and farms, the tree nymph is attracted to the color red, and will land on red shirts and hats.
In the wild it can be seen in fields and woodlands throughout Southeast Asia. These butterflies seek out lianes and vines, and milkweed - creeping plants that grow around trees. Many of these plants contain bitter-tasting alkaloids, and it is thought that the female locates the correct plants to lay her eggs on by smelling out the alkaloids. The larval wood nymphs are similar to monarch caterpillars in that they feed on plants in the Apocenaceae (dogbane) and Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) families.
The plant alkaloids appear to have a structure similar to the male Idea leuconoe pheromones which would suggest an evolutionarily relationship between the butterfly and its food plant. Probably the alkaloids evolved first, and male nymph butterflies evolved to have similar-smelling pheromones. Alkaloids in plants that the butterfly does not feed on are completely unlike the male pheromone. The caterpillars accumulate the bitter alkaloids in their bodies, protecting them from predation. The alkaloids remain in the insect's tissue even when it transforms into an adult. Predators learn to avoid both the caterpillars and the adults through bitter experience (literally).
Taken at Krohn Conservatory.
Sources are here and here. |
sranjan, siggi has marked this note useful
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Dear Greg,
Excellent sharpness, POV & informative note. TFS.
Regards-Subhash
Hallo Greg
This is such a lovely sight. A beautiful display of colour and detail on one image. There are a lot of details on this beautiful butterfly to observe and appreciate. One of it being the long matchstick "Pinnochio" legs. The patterns and markings on this insect’s wing are beautifully displayed. I find the wing folded slightly at the bottom very eye-catching an adds somewhat extra speciality to this already great image. Composition, focus and sharpness are great and very pleasing to the eye. The green leaves highlight the detail and colour of the butterfly to a great extent. Kind regards and thanks for sharing.
Anna
- siggi
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 286 W: 3 N: 779]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(2796) - [2008-07-20 0:59]
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Hi Greg,
Beautiful macro with fine colours and perfect BG.The butterfly pose is also great.
tfs
Siggi
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- foozi
(966)
- [2008-10-09 1:19]
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Hello Greg,
a very outstanding shot of the butterfly.
Sharp and clear with superbs details seen.
Well composed among the green background.
Lovely shot of nature in action.
regards,
Foozi
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 197 W: 72 N: 471]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 131 W: 33 N: 356]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(1222)