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Dusky Large Blue


Dusky Large Blue
Photo Information
Copyright: Seyfi Karaman (KOMSIS) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2014-07-14
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D 800E, Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG OS, HOYA HD UV 72 mm
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/2000 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2015-02-07 3:53
Viewed: 1352
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
INSECTA-LEPIDOPTERA-LYCAENIDAE
Phengaris nausithous, (Bergsträsser, 1779)
Dusky Large Blue

Turkish Name: Esmer Korubeni Kelebeği.

Distribution in Turkey: The north eastern region of Anatolia.

Distribution in the world: Central Europe to West Siberia, with isolated populations in Spain, Bulgaria, Caucasus and North East Turkey.

Living Area: Wet grassland and damp sedge meadows with Sanguisorba officinalis. Often between 1800-2800 meters.

Flight time: One generation from Mid- July to mid-August.

Food Plants of the caterpillar: Great burnet-(Sanguisorba officinalis)

Additional Information: This butterfly, has an interesting life cycle. Young larvae feed on Sanguisorba officinalis until they are adopted by ants of certain species of genus Myrmica, after which they develop in the ant nest (Tolman & Lewington 1997). The ant becomes very excited and coninues to milk the caterpillar for a while and eventually carries it back to its nest. Caterpillars not found by ants within one or two days will die. The caterpillar stays in the nest throughout the winter and pupates there in spring. After emering from chrysalis into butterfly, the butterfly had to leave the ants nest quickly. Life cycle - Youtube

Description-Notes: A very local and rare species with an extremely restricted range in Turkey. The whole life cycle revolves around the great burnet ( Sanguisorba officinalis ), takes place in the here and the pairing. Like Large Blue. Though spots on forewing are smaller and less conspicuous. Both wings are dark cinnamon brown below with a postmedian band of black spots that are roughly unifıorm in size. Note the absence of any obvious submarginal markings. A protected species, that is highly sought after by collectors and only found in highly threatened, often small habitats. It appears to have declined significantly mainly due to habitat drainage coupled with increasing likelihood of droughts.

Wingspan: 34-37 mm long.

Origin of the name : Navzitoy (Greek mythology) - the first king of the island of Phaeacians Scheria father Alcinous.

Similar Species:
• Alcon Blue – Phengaris alcon, ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
• Large Blue – Phengaris arion, (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Scarce Large Blue – Phengaris teleius, (Bergsträsser, 1779)
• Mountain Alcon Blue – Maculinea rebeli,(Hirschke,1904)

───────
References:

1. Baytas A., 2007. A Field Guide To The Butterflies Of Turkey/NTV Yayinlari, Istanbul. .70 pp.
2. Guy Padfield's : European Butterfly Page - Dusky Large Blue
3. Moths and Butterflies : Europe and North Africa - Dusky Large Blue
4. AdaMerOs Kelebek’s : Butterflies Watching & Photography Society in Turkey - Dusky Large Blue
5. Butterflies of Bulgaria: Butterflies of Bulgaria - Dusky Large Blue
6. EuroButterflies : Matt Rowlings's European Butterflies Species Page - Dusky Large Blue
7. Moths and Butterflies : Europe and North Africa - Dusky Large Blue
8. Lepiforum.de: Help for determining the proven European butterfly species- Dusky Large Blue
9. Trakel: Anonymous Butterflies of Turkey - Dusky Large Blue
10. Babochki-kavkaza’s: Lepidoptera Caucasi – Dusky Large Blue
11. Schmetterling - Raupe: Butterflies of Germany - Dusky Large Blue


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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Seyfi - Beautiful colored butterfly this "Dusky Large Blue". Excellent BG with stunning details. Very well light and sharpness. Thanks for sharing with informative NOTE. Regards and have a nice WE - Srikumar

hallo seyfi
great composition with good bg and beautiful colours
GREAT so you post the butterfly's on TN
allways super picture's
gr lou

  • Great 
  • NikosR Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 76 W: 3 N: 447] (3436)
  • [2015-02-07 10:33]

Geia sou Seyfi

Perfect image of Phengaris, excellent composition, perfect sharpness and details either on antenae, nice lighting, very beautiful pattern of wings, excellent BG color.

Have a nice WE.

Rgds

Nikos

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2015-02-07 11:00]

Hi Seyfi,another pearl in your gallery of wonders,very rare lycaeneide caught in a spectacular macro,very bright colors too,interesting post! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 540 W: 87 N: 750] (10)
  • [2015-02-07 12:16]

hi Seyfi
beautiful and very colorful and bright image. Excellent dynamic presentation, well decorated with this flower.

tfs
gaetan

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2015-02-08 11:03]

Hello Seyfi,
A wonderful close-up image of this pretty little Dusky Large Blue. It's funny how different they appear with their wings closed like this, one would never expect the other side to be a mixture of browns and beautiful powder blue colors. Tac sharp focus and beautiful rich yet natural colors. I really like the clean BG. The caterpillars relationship with ants is quite interesting. Great notes!!
Ron

Ciao Seyfi, great macro of beautiful butterfly, splendid sharpness, fine details and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

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