Andalucia

[Matsukaze]

Some good butterflies on the wing in Malaga province this week.

A scattering of these about - Spanish Festoon - I think always singly. They appear dramatic in photos but are surprisingly inconspicuous in the field, the dominant yellow/black colouring blending in to the still-dry grasses amongst which it flies. This seems almost a different species in Spain to the populations in Provence which I have always found only in the most arid, stony locations. Although it always seems to have grasses and bare ground near at hand, it is quite often amongst light woodland here and sometimes flying close to quite densely shaded areas.

[Matsukaze]

Whites can be difficult butterflies to identify in southern England, but in southern Spain they can be next to impossible, as in the constant sunshine they never stop flying - the Large and Small Whites, Clouded Yellow, Cleopatra and Provence Orange-tip can at least be identified on the wing, but the tiny Dappled-type whites were far harder. Only one stopped for photos - this Green-striped White. The zebra-style camouflage is remarkably cryptic - I have taken photos of this species before where I have been unable to locate the butterfly when reviewing the photos.

[Matsukaze]

For confirmation - is this Clouded Yellow f.helice, as opposed to female Berger's? I am leaning towards the former, and in any case there were good numbers of them to be seen, whereas I did not see a definite Berger's.

[Padfield]

Yes - I'm very confident that's helice.

I've often noted how perfectly camouflaged green-striped whites are on milk-thistle:



I wonder if this is coincidence or if it influenced their evolution. Milk-thistle is widespread in the Mediterranean.

I'll be in Analucía for a few days in April, mostly to enjoy all the usual butterflies but also to try and dig out a Chapman's hairstreak or two - a species I've yet to see.

Guy

[David M]

Nice to see a bit of mild weather, Matsukaze! Looks like even Spain may be getting an Arctic blast next week though which will come as a shock to these early emergees.

As Guy says, the camouflage of Green Striped White is in near perfect synchrony with the colour and leaf shape of thistle. Nature is wonderful!

[Matsukaze]

Some photos from a few days in Spain back in early May. The stars of the show were the Spanish Gatekeepers, which were present in huge numbers in grassy, open woodland areas. They would bob about the shrubs like Ringlets, though flying even closer to the shrubs, probably as protection from birds and dragonflies as it seemed to make little difference whether they were flying in shade or sun.

A handful of fritillaries about. This was the first time I had seen any in Spain (I have not visited before this late in spring nor in summer). They were very brightly coloured. The first three photos are, I think, Knapweed, the fourth either Spanish or Marsh, and the fifth Marsh.

I think this is Lorquin's Blue, though it was photographed in an area where Carswell's Small Blue is also supposed to occur. The butterfly was worn, but photos of it don't appear often on this forum.

[Matsukaze]

The link below may be of interest for visitors to Andalucia - butterflies that can be seen on the Gran Senda de Malaga, the long-distance footpath that circumnavigates Malaga province, taking in a few of the mountain ranges there.

http://static.malaga.es/malaga/subidas/ ... 884_v4.pdf

[David M]

The link below may be of interest for visitors to Andalucia - butterflies that can be seen on the Gran Senda de Malaga, the long-distance footpath that circumnavigates Malaga province, taking in a few of the mountain ranges there.

http://static.malaga.es/malaga/subidas/ ... 884_v4.pdf

Fabulous link, Matsukaze. I have downloaded it and will read it in depth when time permits. Many thanks.

[Matsukaze]

Malaga area, 10-13 November - 12 species - single probable female Common Blue (celina), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (probably quite common in hill scrub, but most were not stopping or only doing so in inaccessible locations), African Grass Blue (one), Clouded Yellow (two), Wall (one), Painted Lady (a few), Carcharodus sp. (most likely tripolinus), Long-tailed Blue (one male nectaring on fennel), Small White (one female), Red Admiral (a few), Brimstone (one male), Geranium Bronze (one, just outside the cathedral in the city centre). The highlight being a Red Admiral fleeing in terror, pursued by the silhouette of a tiny lycaenid.

[David M]

That's quite some line-up for November, Matsukaze. I really must visit the southern part of Spain in the not too distant future. It seems to have a never ending supply of interesting species.

[Matsukaze]

Malaga area, 13-15 January 2019 - Clouded Yellow (several), Speckled Wood, Large White, Wall, Lang's Short-tailed Blue, also probably Painted Lady, Geranium Bronze and Small White. Surprisingly, no Red Admirals.

[Matsukaze]

Malaga area, 16-19 May 2019 - Swallowtail, Spanish Festoon (a few), Large White, Provence Orange-tip, Clouded Yellow (many), Long-tailed Blue, Geranium Bronze (out in the scrub, rather than in and about gardens), Black-eyed Blue (many), Green Hairstreak (one - the first time I have seen the species in Spain), Speckled Wood, Wall. Also plenty of unidentified little whites. No Painted Lady, Red Admiral or HBHM.

[NickMorgan]

Brilliant! I am going to the Malaga area next month and I am looking forward to seeing some different butterflies to my normal summer butterflies for that area.

[bugboy]

Gibraltar and surrounding areas, 16 - 22/3/19: Pyrgus sp Spanish Festoon, Iberian scarce Swallowtail, provance orange tip, Whites ( Large, Small, Bath & Green striped positively identified), Clouded Yellow, Cleopatra, Black eyed & Southern Blues, Provance Hairstreak, Geranium Bronze, Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Chapmans Green Hairstreak?, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Wall, Speckled Wood. Still 1 full day to go yet but the weather has been rather good!

[David M]

Mouth-watering stuff from the southernmost extent of Europe.

Spring clearly starts early here but it's still uplifting to see the species range that can be encountered prior to the end of the month of March.

[essexbuzzard]

Yes, I’m a bit jealous of those sightings, to be honest. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there in spring, but congratulations on your sightings!

[bugboy]

I can add Brimstone and Langs Short Tailed Blue to my list, both seen just outside Marbella along with several other species already mentioned. Full reports and pictures coming to a PD near you in the coming weeks

[David M]

I can add Brimstone and Langs Short Tailed Blue to my list, both seen just outside Marbella along with several other species already mentioned. Full reports and pictures coming to a PD near you in the coming weeks

So that's where you've been, BB?

I shall look forward to seeing the fruits on your PD....soon!

[Matsukaze]

[bugboy]

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I'm happy to say, 'those two species look rather familiar'