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Lycaena helle
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This gorgeous little butterfly has a very patch distribution within its range of central and northern Europe. Where it does occur it is very local and colonies are hard to find. The adults are so small the butterfly is difficult to locate too. As a result it is a difficult species to encounter. It can be common when found but most of my experiences are of just a few individuals.
Identification & Similar species: The butterfly is distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other coppers, Lycaena. The upperside violet sheen is striking and particularly noticeable in the male.
Distribution & Flight: A very patchy distribution from the French Pyrenees, west Switzerland and neighbouring France, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Sweden. It flies from May to July depending on location.
Habitat & Behaviour: Damp meadows and bogs with an abundance of the larval food plant bistort, Polygonum bistorta. It flies discretely over the vegetation and neighbouring meadows. Due to its small size it is difficult to spot and is quickly lost to sight.
I was lucky to see the pictured female lay her egg. She landed on a bistort leaf then walked along the mid rib before suddenly walking backwards towards the edge of the leaf, and onto the underside where she quickly laid her egg.
Variation: Both sexes are highly variable. |
Hotelcalifornia, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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- lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(65489) - [2015-06-09 5:00]
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Waaw John,une parmi tes plus belles images sans doutes! Quelle composition verticale et quels details,une capture parfaicte de cette rare lycaena dans la meilleure lumiere! Mes compliments et belle soiree',Luciano
Hello John,
Light was really harsh and in such difficult situation you have captured this small beautiful butterfly quite well.
Nice color and well managed BG.
Thanks for sharing,
Regards,
Srikumar
hallo John
nice to see this picture with 2 objects to show
the flower and the butterfly
thanks gr lou
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 122 W: 0 N: 439]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1519 W: 24 N: 2225]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
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