Maximus

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:04 am

Great Wurzel, the less said the better. Perhaps however it's Mr Browstreak man

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:39 pm

When the Orange-tip larvae, we rescued from a (to be) strimmed local footpath, commenced pupation last May, it was evident that some of them choose not to pupate alone. Although the larvae were provided with plenty of twigs to choose from, three pairs not only chose the same twig but also the same part of the twig on which to pupate. The following photos show that not only are they are aware of one another, but also appear to be pupating together intentionally, I'm not sure if this would happen in the wild!

Only a couple of months to wait now to enjoy the emergence of the butterflies

bugboy · Post by **bugboy** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:52 pm

Fabulous set of pics and very interesting behaviour. Presumably the cessation of apetite stopped any aggression.

Nick Broomer · Post by **Nick Broomer** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:29 pm

Hi Mike,

excellent set of photos of some unusual behaviour. I have personally only seen this once. Like you, i had put a lot of sticks in a pot, [well over twenty] and ended up with two on a stick, close together. But unlike yours, mine did not pupate at the same time.

All the best, Nick.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:48 pm

Thanks Bugboy, yes it is interesting behaviour. We've not yet witnessed any aggression at any instar stage of OT's. Perhaps if food supplies were scarce they would eat one other!

Thanks Nick, I would imagine that there's lots more unusual behavior to be documented, never know what one may find!

David M · Post by **David M** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:59 pm

Fantastic images, Maximus. Thanks for sharing.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:13 pm

Fantastic images

and very interesting

- I thought they were supposed to be cannibalisitic though I suppose at this late stage of the day other instinctive drives have kicked in.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:24 pm

Cheers Davis and Wurzel

7th March 2015

Today on our first outing of 2015 we were very fortunate to see and photograph these four beauties!

In sunny conditions but with a cool southerly breeze, all were looking for nectar, after waking from their long hibernation.

bugboy · Post by **bugboy** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:51 pm

Thanks for the comment and looks like you had an even better day than I did if we count number of species!

Hoggers · Post by **Hoggers** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 2:03 pm

Maximus, if these superb photos are how you begin the season I think by the time we get around to Brown Hairstreaks your photographs will have to carry an "Green with Envy" warning alert!

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:03 am

Hi bugboy, we both had a great day

Thanks Hoggers for your kind comments, may the sun continue to shine on you

Glad you got to see some Small Torts in your garden.

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:42 am

HI Maximus,

A great day's work!. Your Red Admiral has found a sweet nectar source on that Viburnum.
Spring has kicked off! :

.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 7:54 pm

Cheers Trevor, the sweet scent of the Viburnum filled the air and the Red Admiral was making the most of it.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:20 pm

That is an absolutely cracking start to the season Mike

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 8:09 pm

Thanks Wurzel, I'm still looking for that elusive Peacock

There were two Small Tortoiseshells in our garden this morning.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:18 pm

I saw a pristine looking Red Admiral nectaring in the front garden this morning, but didn't manage a photo. Great to see they have survived in this years mild Winter.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:13 pm

Spring's Arriving

Looks like we will have a male Orange-tip emerge in the next day or so, pupation was on 22nd May 2014, (this was the first to pupate)
This will be at least two weeks earlier than the first emergence among our reared OT's last year. Down to the mild Winter perhaps?

Number 2 is not far behind, and completed pupation on 24th May 2014.

Something appears to be happening to Number 5 (top), while number 4 does not show any signs yet, (both completed pupation on 25th May 2014)

: No. 4 and 5

: No.5

Will find no.3 tomorrow, these are exciting times

David M · Post by **David M** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:24 pm

Excellent images, Maximus. Great to think that Orange Tips are on the cusp of emergence.

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:02 am

Brilliant images of the Orange Tip pupae, i had not realised that they spent so long in that stage.

Looking forward to their emergence.

TREVOR.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:52 pm

Cheers David, and yes the Orange-tip pupul stage is a long ten months,Trevor.

Not quite there yet, just as well given the current weather conditions! It's supposed to improve from tomorrow onwards however

Maximus

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