Maritime Alps Butterflies

[John Chapple]

Last July my partner Kate and I visited the Maritime Alps. France. We had a wonderful time exploring the mountains looking for butterflies. we saw over 90 species over the 10 days we were there. I am in the process of uploading several videos of the butterflies we saw on to my youtube channel...http://www.youtube.com/user/chippler01 The Alps videos are on the French Butterflies playlist. Take a look and get in the mood for summer.

[Padfield]

Thank you, John. I did enjoy watching those! I'd like to know what the red and black spider is that spooked the male alciphron ...

With winter in full swing here again, and thick snow, I need a little reminding of summer!

Guy

[John Chapple]

Hi Guy,
Thanks for your comment. I haven't yet found out what spider it is, but it's quite amusing watching it carefully sneak up on the alciphron steady itself, wiggle it's abdomen before jumping and missing. After his failed attempt it's as if it's thinking 'where did he go!'

I bet you can't wait for Spring to arrive. It's trying to here in sunny Cornwall, we've had our first Swallows and Sand Martins passing through.So it wont be long!!!

[Mikhail]

The spider is a male Philaeus chrysops. The female lacks the red on the abdomen.

M.

[Padfield]

Thanks, Misha.

Guy

[John Chapple]

Yes. Thank you Misha.

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks for sharing your videos with us John; roll on the summer!
Chris