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Colin
Nettle-tree Butterfly
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CFB
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- Location: Valbonne, Alpes-Maritimes, France
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Nettle-tree Butterfly
Today, at 185 metres altitude in the Alpes-Maritimes, I saw my first ever Nettle-tree Butterfly.
It was taking nectar from ivy (Hedera helix?) flowers, which were also very popular with several Silver-washed Fritillaries. It stayed there long enough for me to take more than 20 photos. In the middle of taking these photos, a Provence Chalk-hill Blue alighted on the back of my hand. All very intimate! Is it usual to see Nettle-tree Butterflies so late in the season? I gather that it is not a very common butterfly in the Alpes-Maritimes.
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Colin
It was taking nectar from ivy (Hedera helix?) flowers, which were also very popular with several Silver-washed Fritillaries. It stayed there long enough for me to take more than 20 photos. In the middle of taking these photos, a Provence Chalk-hill Blue alighted on the back of my hand. All very intimate! Is it usual to see Nettle-tree Butterflies so late in the season? I gather that it is not a very common butterfly in the Alpes-Maritimes.
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Colin
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Padfield
- Administrator
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- Location: Leysin, Switzerland
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Re: Nettle-tree Butterfly
What lovely pictures!
In principle you can see this butterfly any time in autumn, as it hibernates as an adult, though I believe most hibernate relatively early. I don't know about how common or rare it is in the Alpes Maritimes but it is a very special butterfly and always a pleasure to see. In Italy and Switzerland (Ticino) it is thriving and spreading at present.
Guy
In principle you can see this butterfly any time in autumn, as it hibernates as an adult, though I believe most hibernate relatively early. I don't know about how common or rare it is in the Alpes Maritimes but it is a very special butterfly and always a pleasure to see. In Italy and Switzerland (Ticino) it is thriving and spreading at present.
Guy
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
Re: Nettle-tree Butterfly
Excellent find, and a cracking open wing shot too! 
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essexbuzzard
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Re: Nettle-tree Butterfly
Yes,that open wing shot is a cracker!
I saw my first Nettletree Butterflies in Croatia this year. But no open wing shot fo me!
I saw my first Nettletree Butterflies in Croatia this year. But no open wing shot fo me!