What's flying in Marseilles 2015
- Charles Nicol
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
very nice pics there Chris. i especially liked the Nettle Tree Butterfly.
i shall be arriving in France on 23rd July.
Charles
i shall be arriving in France on 23rd July.
Charles
- Chris Jackson
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Looking forward to your gastronomic arrival in France, Charles.
Today, Wednesday, 1st July - 33°C
Believe it or not, the South of France is not the worst hit by the heat wave, there are other régions, including Paris, where it is hotter
Today I saw this individual, in a place I do not usually visit.
Is this a Black Satyr ? (Satyrius actaea)
My reference books show much less contrast in the colours. This photo was taken with a mobile phone - sorry
Thank you for your comments.
Chris
Today, Wednesday, 1st July - 33°C
Believe it or not, the South of France is not the worst hit by the heat wave, there are other régions, including Paris, where it is hotter
Today I saw this individual, in a place I do not usually visit.
Is this a Black Satyr ? (Satyrius actaea)
My reference books show much less contrast in the colours. This photo was taken with a mobile phone - sorry
Thank you for your comments.
Chris
Last edited by Chris Jackson on Thu Jul 02, 2015 4:39 am, edited 3 times in total.
- LancsRover
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi Chris, Long time no speak, great pics of Cleopatra(I know how hard it is to get that pic) and I like your Spanish Gatekeepers.
I was wondering how hot it was today in your area? it's been 32c in Fineshade Wood(Stamford) where I have been chasing Silver-washed Frits. among others and you tell me it's only 1c warmer in Marseilles I can't beleive it.
Regards Russ.
I was wondering how hot it was today in your area? it's been 32c in Fineshade Wood(Stamford) where I have been chasing Silver-washed Frits. among others and you tell me it's only 1c warmer in Marseilles I can't beleive it.
Regards Russ.
- Chris Jackson
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Good to hear from you, Russ. Glad things are going well and you're getting some good weather. Its about time the UK had a good summer. And particularly thanks for looking into my thread .
Chris
Chris
- Charles Nicol
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
could it be some kind of Grayling ?cjackson wrote:Looking forward to your gastronomic arrival in France, Charles.
Today, Wednesday, 1st July - 33°C
Believe it or not, the South of France is not the worst hit by the heat wave, there are other régions, including Paris, where it is hotter
Today I saw this individual, in a place I do not usually visit.
Is this a Black Satyr ? (Satyrius actaea)
My reference books show much less contrast in the colours. This photo was taken with a mobile phone - sorry
Thank you for your comments.
Chris
- Chris Jackson
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi Charles,
After a second look in my Tolman & Lewington, I'm more convinced its a Black Satyr although there is more contrast in the markings on my individual. I've already spotted 'regular' Grayling this year, and they don't look like that round here. When I got a glimpse of the uppersides, the Black Satyr is much darker than the Grayling.
Today it is 33°C here in Vitrolles, and lunchtime up in the scrub was hot and sweaty, but I saw my first Long-tailed blue and Striped Grayling of the year. Cheers, Chris
After a second look in my Tolman & Lewington, I'm more convinced its a Black Satyr although there is more contrast in the markings on my individual. I've already spotted 'regular' Grayling this year, and they don't look like that round here. When I got a glimpse of the uppersides, the Black Satyr is much darker than the Grayling.
Today it is 33°C here in Vitrolles, and lunchtime up in the scrub was hot and sweaty, but I saw my first Long-tailed blue and Striped Grayling of the year. Cheers, Chris
- Chris Jackson
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi folks,
South of France, 33°C, no wind, hot, sweaty and uncomfortable,
Today in my local Parc des Bruyères:
Swallowtail looking for refreshment on a damp patch A Two-tailed Pasha Caterpillar in a strawberry tree
Caterpillar resulting from first generation (measuring 4 cm, perhaps in last Caterpillar stage ?)
2nd brood expected at end of summer Context for Strawberry Tree A Cicada on a pine tree A Southern Gatekeeper Cheers, Chris
South of France, 33°C, no wind, hot, sweaty and uncomfortable,
Today in my local Parc des Bruyères:
Swallowtail looking for refreshment on a damp patch A Two-tailed Pasha Caterpillar in a strawberry tree
Caterpillar resulting from first generation (measuring 4 cm, perhaps in last Caterpillar stage ?)
2nd brood expected at end of summer Context for Strawberry Tree A Cicada on a pine tree A Southern Gatekeeper Cheers, Chris
- CFB
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Chris,
I love your Two-tailed Pasha caterpillar. If it wasn't so hot I'd go out into the garden and scrutinise our arbousier tree .
These last couple of days we've had visits in the garden from a Scarce Swallowtail or two, together with a Geranium Bronze or two.
--
Colin
I love your Two-tailed Pasha caterpillar. If it wasn't so hot I'd go out into the garden and scrutinise our arbousier tree .
These last couple of days we've had visits in the garden from a Scarce Swallowtail or two, together with a Geranium Bronze or two.
--
Colin
- Chris Jackson
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi Colin,
It should be reaching 35°C today in Marseilles. As I write, it is 30°C inside the house (we don't have air conditioning), and we have 3+ Scarse Swallowtails on the buddleias - it is the most common species this week, and my wife's favourite.
Chris
It should be reaching 35°C today in Marseilles. As I write, it is 30°C inside the house (we don't have air conditioning), and we have 3+ Scarse Swallowtails on the buddleias - it is the most common species this week, and my wife's favourite.
Chris
- Charles Nicol
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
great pics Chris !
we have an arbutus in the back garden but i don't think that we are likely to find any Pasha caterpillars on it
we have an arbutus in the back garden but i don't think that we are likely to find any Pasha caterpillars on it
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hello, Charles,
An update from a previous posting, my jasius caterpillar is now 5 cm long , I'm hoping to catch it pupating !!
Today 9th July, only 33°C - heatwave finished
The biggest surprise this year is the abundance of Black Satyr. I thought they were rare but I am now seeing them everywhere I look.
Today in my local park, apart from the local 'common' species, I saw:
Black Satyr (perhaps returning to this park 6 years after it burnt down ? - I have no prior knowledge unfortunately): Striped Grayling, which I was expecting, and which I have seen in other locations over the last week or so: A rather large cicada (these chirp in the pine trees), plus the moult of a cicada (something out of 'Alien'). I know nothing about cicadas. Males / females = big / small. Are there "Queens" ? A minority are 4 or 5 times bigger than the others . I bet one of our 'bug' contributors knows !!
In a different place, in town, I saw these moths hanging around a 'date' palm. Cheers, Chris
An update from a previous posting, my jasius caterpillar is now 5 cm long , I'm hoping to catch it pupating !!
Today 9th July, only 33°C - heatwave finished
The biggest surprise this year is the abundance of Black Satyr. I thought they were rare but I am now seeing them everywhere I look.
Today in my local park, apart from the local 'common' species, I saw:
Black Satyr (perhaps returning to this park 6 years after it burnt down ? - I have no prior knowledge unfortunately): Striped Grayling, which I was expecting, and which I have seen in other locations over the last week or so: A rather large cicada (these chirp in the pine trees), plus the moult of a cicada (something out of 'Alien'). I know nothing about cicadas. Males / females = big / small. Are there "Queens" ? A minority are 4 or 5 times bigger than the others . I bet one of our 'bug' contributors knows !!
In a different place, in town, I saw these moths hanging around a 'date' palm. Cheers, Chris
- CFB
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Chris,
Your moth is a Paysandisia archon (aka Palm Moth, aka Le Clandestin des palmiers). Their larvae apparently create havoc with certain palm trees .
This tatty one was in our garden two years ago, even though we don't have any palms.
You are doing very well with your Black Satyrs, Striped Graylings and what have you .
Cheers,
Colin
Your moth is a Paysandisia archon (aka Palm Moth, aka Le Clandestin des palmiers). Their larvae apparently create havoc with certain palm trees .
This tatty one was in our garden two years ago, even though we don't have any palms.
You are doing very well with your Black Satyrs, Striped Graylings and what have you .
Cheers,
Colin
- Chris Jackson
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thanks for the details, Colin.
I could see that this date palm was a focal point for them !!
Next week we will be in Grasse - not much cooler than here I'll bet
We will be at Belambra "Les Jasmins".
Chris.
I could see that this date palm was a focal point for them !!
Next week we will be in Grasse - not much cooler than here I'll bet
We will be at Belambra "Les Jasmins".
Chris.
- Chris Jackson
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
South of France, 33°C in the afternoon and 25°C at night, with mosquitoes of course
Last week I popped inland and upland from Marseilles to visit the mountain of Saint Baume, and saw some seasonal species:
Black Satyr, which seems quite common this year: Chalk-hill Blue, I think, not Provence Chalk-hill ? (the poor thing was after any humidity it could find): Woodland Grayling : A Pyrgus, but which I do not know ?: A Purple Hairstreak, in poor condition: An unfamiliar butterfly: Some context: Cheers, Chris
Last week I popped inland and upland from Marseilles to visit the mountain of Saint Baume, and saw some seasonal species:
Black Satyr, which seems quite common this year: Chalk-hill Blue, I think, not Provence Chalk-hill ? (the poor thing was after any humidity it could find): Woodland Grayling : A Pyrgus, but which I do not know ?: A Purple Hairstreak, in poor condition: An unfamiliar butterfly: Some context: Cheers, Chris
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi
To the pyrgus I would say : Olive Skipper ( P. serratulae)
the unfamiliar blue : Furry blue ( Polyommatus dolus)
br
john
To the pyrgus I would say : Olive Skipper ( P. serratulae)
the unfamiliar blue : Furry blue ( Polyommatus dolus)
br
john
- Charles Nicol
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
i think this is a Palm Moth... it was in the main square of Carcassonne :cjackson wrote:Hello, Charles,
An update from a previous posting, my jasius caterpillar is now 5 cm long , I'm hoping to catch it pupating !!
Today 9th July, only 33°C - heatwave finished
The biggest surprise this year is the abundance of Black Satyr. I thought they were rare but I am now seeing them everywhere I look.
Today in my local park, apart from the local 'common' species, I saw:
Black Satyr (perhaps returning to this park 6 years after it burnt down ? - I have no prior knowledge unfortunately): Striped Grayling, which I was expecting, and which I have seen in other locations over the last week or so: A rather large cicada (these chirp in the pine trees), plus the moult of a cicada (something out of 'Alien'). I know nothing about cicadas. Males / females = big / small. Are there "Queens" ? A minority are 4 or 5 times bigger than the others . I bet one of our 'bug' contributors knows !!
In a different place, in town, I saw these moths hanging around a 'date' palm. Cheers, Chris
i hope your Pashapillar is doing OK
Charles
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
I think Furry Blue is the only real candidate for your Lycaenid, Chris. It certainly doesn't match anything else you might have down there.
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thank you John and David for the Furry Blue ID.
I'm unsure for the skipper, however. My fault for not getting an upperside shot.
Charles,
We are currently in the area of Grasse and Cannes, and as I sip my cocktail by the pool, the palm trees are swarming with these moths. A rich holiday-maker's burden I suppose.
Chris
I'm unsure for the skipper, however. My fault for not getting an upperside shot.
Charles,
We are currently in the area of Grasse and Cannes, and as I sip my cocktail by the pool, the palm trees are swarming with these moths. A rich holiday-maker's burden I suppose.
Chris
- Charles Nicol
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
il faut imaginer Sisyphe heureuxcjackson wrote:Thank you John and David for the Furry Blue ID.
I'm unsure for the skipper, however. My fault for not getting an upperside shot.
Charles,
We are currently in the area of Grasse and Cannes, and as I sip my cocktail by the pool, the palm trees are swarming with these moths. A rich holiday-maker's burden I suppose.
Chris
Charles
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi Chris. Again, with respect to John V., I would say this cannot be serratulae. Living in the Alps I know this species very well and none of its characters fit. A useful feature, which adds considerably to the jzz, is that the veins on serratulae are the same colour as the ground colour, making the hindwing look particularly flat. Sometimes the veins catch the light but they never stand out. If the distribution works, I would go for cirsii for your butterfly.
Guy
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