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Satyrium spini. (46)
peter_stoeckl
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 269 N: 3370]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (9375) | Satyrium spini.
It was first described from the area of Vienna in 1775, but it took me until June 2008 to see or to recognize:
Satyrium spini (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Blue-Spot Hairstreak
Schlehenzipfelfalter
Ogończyk tarninowiec
Thécla des nerpruns
Mancha azul
Family: Lycaenidae
Wingspan: 28 – 32mm
Small, drab coloured, quickly moving butterflies, so maybe just easily overlooked.
Once noticed and seen from short distance, fine elegant patterns on the underside of wings will catch the attention. A clear blue spot near the tail at the underside of the hindwing is a reliable indicator for identification.
At rest, the butterflies will sit with wings closed, hindwings rubbing in slow rotating motion, causing the thin tails at the end of hindwings start curling motions. The purpose of the game seems to be pretending a false head with legs or antennae at the other end, duping aggressors to miscalculate their direction of attack. Quite smartly designed.
> Close approach.
Butterflies can be seen in one generation from May to July, depending on climate conditions. They definitely seem to prefer dry and hot locations with scrubby vegetation, and can be quite numerous in such places. Distributed from Northern Spain through the southern parts of Central Europe, Central Italy, the Balkan, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran.
Feeding plant: Rhamnaceae, but not Prunus spinosa as the German name wrongly indicates.
The camera:
SONY DSC-H5, 3072 x 2304 pixel, sRGB, 16mm macro-zoom setting (equiv. 100mm at conventional 35mm SLR), F/8, 1/125 sec., ISO-125; -0.3 bias, no tripod, fill flash; 07.06.2008, 12:18. Sky overcast at pleasantly mild temperatures.
Postwork:
Photoshop Elements, slightly cropped, downsized to the web, selectively resharpened, levels slightly adjusted.
Literature:
Tom Tolman, Richard Lewington: Die Tagfalter Europas und Nordwestafrikas. Stuttgart 1998.
Christopher Jonko: Butterflies and Moths of Europe: http://www.lepidoptera.pl/
Thank you for looking, hope you enjoy.
Have a very good day.
*****************************
P.S.:
Having arrived at #200, I take the opportunity to thank you my dear friends for all the inspiration, patience, encouragement and steady support coming from you over the years. |
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| Altered Image #1
peter_stoeckl
(9375)
S. spini, close approach.
Edited by:peter_stoeckl
(9375) |
Satyrium spini,
same day, same location, close approach.
The long soft wingtails may be seen better here. They were in peculiar slow constant motion.
The camera:
SONY DSC-H5, 3072 x 2304 pixel, sRGB, 18mm macro-zoom setting, F/5, 1/160 sec., ISO-125; -0.3 bias, no tripod, no flash; 07.06.2008, 12:17.
Postwork: Photoshop Elements, slightly cropped, downsized to the web, selectively resharpened, levels slightly adjusted.
Hope you enjoy. |
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