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Parantica sita


Parantica sita
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Cassidy (accassidy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 162 W: 119 N: 596] (2454)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-11-04
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D80, Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED AF-S VR, 72mm UV
Exposure: f/11, 1/45 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Butterflies of Japan [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-12-07 2:33
Viewed: 4910
Points: 9
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This species is the largest member of the genus Parantica, with a forewing length from 42 to 62mm. It is the only Danaid species in the Old World that has established itself in the temperate zone. It is fairly common in Japan, having been observed sometimes in great abundance.
Sita ranges from Afghanistan and the Himalaya in the west to Japan in the north-east, as far south as peninsular Malaya and also in Palawan in the Philippines. The subspecies niphonica occurs in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Bonin Is and eastern China.
The food plants observed in the field are Cynanchium, Tylophora, Hoya, Marsdenia, all Asclepiadaceae. In the temperate zones, such as Japan, only the young larvae feeding on evergreen plants, for instance, Marsdenia tomentosa, survive the cold winter.
The butterfly exists in the tropics at cooler elevations, above 1000m. This picture was hand-held in pale autumn sunshine, on a cool morning. It has been cropped, resized and sharpened a little for TN.

Reference: Yata & Morishita, Butterflies of the South East Asian Islands, Plapac, 1985.
dalmatinac, Argus, nglen, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Alan. Splendid colours and a dramatic design on this butterfly.It is large according to the measurements quoted. Must be a thrill seeing one flutter past. Regards. Klaudio.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-12-07 3:38]

Hello Alan,
Excellent capture of this E. Asian Danaiid with fine sharpness and good presentation of colours in this fine composition in a natural habitat.
Another new one for TN!
Well done and thanks for sharing this,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2007-12-07 11:12]

Hi Alan. This is a good close up of this beautiful looking flower. thidetail and colours are first class. with a nice POV. well done TFS.
Nick..

it seems that the light was difficult to manage
nice specimen and good POV
the composition is quite good
regards
jo

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-12-08 3:36]

Hello Alan,
I can't recall having seen this beautiful butterfly before! I love those red hindwings!
You caught it in a fine pose and details show up well. Beautifl colours and a fine composition with a natural background.
TFS and regards, Ulla

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