Matsukaze

[Wurzel]

Those Hairstreaks make for a cracking sight Matsukaze

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Matsukaze]

Yes, they are wonderful to seen, not least because I so rarely come across groups of butterflies nectaring like this - Spanish gatekeepers do something similar.

[David M]

June is a great time for Hairstreaks in the Var, Chris. It's always quite a culture shock to see members of this group busily nectaring away en masse like that.

Have to say that curry plant is definitely one of their favourites.

[Matsukaze]

On 20 June we ascended to around 1300 m, to a site I have visited before, but not at this time of year. It turned out to be awash with vetches and similar, and in consequence was alive with butterflies. The highlights were the Apollos, but there were also plenty of blues and fritillaries here - the blues proving very active and so quite difficult to photograph. A couple of ID requests included here as well.

Silver-washed Fritillary f.valezina

Pearly Heath

Apollo

Provence Chalkhill Blue? Upperside very pale blue.

unidentified Mellicta fritillary

underside photo of previous fritillary

de Prunner's Ringlet?

Knapweed Fritillary (with Provence CHB in background?)

unidentified Mellicta fritillary

Also these three Pyrgus - can anyone identify them?

[David M]

Your final Fritillary looks like Meadow Fritillary to me, Chris. The one on the rock may be Provençal Fritillary.

I think you're right with the erebia; certainly looks good for DePrunner's, and this species would be quite worn and tatty (as yours is) towards the end of June.

[Matsukaze]

Thanks David - I have seen de Prunner's on the same site, looking much fresher, in mid-May, which fits nicely.

[Padfield]

I agree with David except for the first Melitaea fritillary, which I believe is heath. The upperside pattern and the conspicuous dark branding on the outer margin of the forewing underside seem unambiguous to me.

Guy

EDIT: I forgot about the skippers. The first looks most like carthami, from what can be seen of that hindwing. The next perhaps armoricanus and the last one also perhaps armoricanus. As always, it's a bit hit-and-miss without undersides ...

[Matsukaze]

Thanks Guy - is there anything one can do that will encourage Pyrgus butterflies show their underwings for photographs? I do not usually carry a net and the butterflies are so rarely co-operative. I have tried asking them politely, to no avail.

[David M]

...is there anything one can do that will encourage Pyrgus butterflies show their underwings for photographs?

This group is the hardest to identify in Europe as far as I'm concerned, Chris, but they're also the easiest to catch in a vial. Pyrgus tend to settle low down and generally are content to bask for longer than most other butterflies. You don't need a net to get them....simply slow your pace down and approach with stealth. Gently position the vial above them and in most cases you can place it down slowly without them realising they have been 'incarcerated'.

You can then get the underside shots you need (as well as uppersides if necessary) and you will find that when you take the lid off to liberate them, they will often linger on the edge of the vial to bask a little more, giving you plenty of scope to take several more images in a more natural way.

Here are a few I've 'potted' using this technique:

Olive Skipper:

Alpine Grizzled Skipper:

Rosy Grizzled Skipper:

[Matsukaze]

Northern Var is good for moths too - these came to light on the balcony in the village where we were staying. There were many more, particularly tortrix moths that I have yet to be able to identify.

Dicycla oo - Heart Moth

Scopula decorata

Idaea ostrinaria

Box Moth

Box Moth - dark form

Euchromius anapiellus

Bena bicolorana - Scarce Silver-lines

[Wurzel]

Cracking sets of butterflies and moths Matsukaze That Heart Moth is particularly well named and a bit of a subtle cracker

Have a goodun (and a Merry Christmas and New Year)

Wurzel

[Matsukaze]

Thanks - some really lovely moths out there - hope you are enjoying your festive break!

[David M]

Hopefully those Box Moths aren't around in the same plague numbers as in the Mercantour, Chris.

Beautiful (especially the dark form) but destructive, unfortunately.

[Matsukaze]

Some early-spring butterflies here in east Mendip.

Comma, 26 March 2020

Peacock, 26 March 2020

Peacock, 6 April 2020

Orange-tip, 9 April 2020

[Wurzel]

Good to see you back Matsukaze with cracking shots as well Hope you're getting plenty of exercise

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Matsukaze]

Thanks Wurzel - yes, plenty of exercise, being at the top of the hill helps as I take my time going down it and then come back up it fast at the end! Plenty of butterflies around, all the usual suspects for the time of year except Red Admiral, though I am going to struggle to see Green Hairstreak and the Dizzy Skippers this year. Hope all is well and take care!

[Matsukaze]

There have been some fine moths to light in the last few weeks, as well.

Brimstone Moth

Double-striped Pug

Common Pug

Sallow Kitten

V-Pug

Brindled Beauty

Early Thorn

[David M]

Good to see you've stumbled across a few butterflies, Chris, as well as several rather attractive moths, of which Sallow Kitten has to take the award for most eye-catching.

[Matsukaze]

A friendly visitor last night - Elephant Hawk-moth.

[David M]

A friendly visitor last night - Elephant Hawk-moth.

Lucky you, Chris. What a stunner!