| Actual Image
Golden Wings (76)
uleko
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2543 W: 170 N: 7734]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (24475) | Scarce Copper - Lycaena virgaureae
One might think that power-lines would create big scars in nature and damage all in their way, but no, often the clearings along them harbour a lot of butterflies and other insects that seek flowers that thrive in forest clearings. I mentioned last year that we have such a clearing very close to us here and now that the flowers have recovered from the drought the butterflies are out en masse! It was very windy and mostly overcast yesterday so we took Putte for a walk into the forest and there they were, at least 6 of these jewels in one place! I was frustrated with the wind and with the fact theat they nearly always settled low down in the grass to seek shelter, but I managed to capture this one higher up on a Bramble leaf. There were also plenty of Ringlets, Meadow Browns and White butterflies all trying to escape the jaws of the Brown Hawker and the Blacktailed Skimmer patrolling along the line.
The Scarce Copper has a wingspan of 26-32 mm. Above is a male, the female is paler yellowish-red and with several spots on the wings – see WORKSHOP. The underside is pale yellowish/brown or greyish with very small black spots with a row of white markings alongside them on the hind wings. The larvae feed on Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella. They fly from late June to early September and are found in most of Sweden except in the mountains.
This was capture from a distance of ½ metre with the camera handheld. It has been cropped and sharpened.
The Swedish name is 'Vitfläckig Guldvinge'. |
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