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Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:41 pm
by MikeOxon
Thank you very much, Mark and Guy. I'll edit my original post to reflect your i.d's. As always, it's good to learn from the collective wisdom available on this site.
I think the pupae and caterpillars are Blue Morphos - can anyone confirm?
Mike
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:52 pm
by Padfield
The caterpillars are Caligo sp. - owl butterflies. I don't know about the pupae, though they do look the right shape for Morpho.
Guy
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:08 pm
by MikeOxon
Once again, thanks Guy.
Mike
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:28 pm
by Philzoid
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:30 pm
by Mark Colvin
Hi Phil,
Glad you've managed to get to Wisley. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have been?
Philzoid wrote:Identification required for this one, Danaid group?
This is one of the ones you think you've not seen, the African Swallowtail
(Papilio dardanus).
Your a braver man than me if your heading there at the weekend!
Good hunting.
Kind regards. Mark
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:06 am
by Philzoid
Mark Colvin wrote:This is one of the ones you think you've not seen, the African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus).
Thanks Mark. It crossed my mind after I'd posted that it
might be that species ..honestly
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
.. was in too much of a hurry to get it posted after numerous aborted attempts due to IE crashing (and (seemingly) cured by a modem and router re-boot)
Mark Colvin wrote:Your a braver man than me if your heading there at the weekend!
Yes, I'm hoping to get my daughters along on Sunday, but to avoid the long wait I'll need to go early ... not much chance of that happening
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
. Also I've come around to Chris C's idea that I should take along my DSLR for some much needed practice.
Phil
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:07 pm
by Vince Massimo
I made my first ever visit to Wisley yesterday as the guest of Mark Colvin
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. I was very impressed with the setting and the variety and number of butterflies on show. Of course the crowds were no surprise. We were the first in at 10am and I stayed until closing time at 4pm. During the course of trying to record some photogenic poses I saw some interesting behavioural activity. Firstly, there was lots of mating going on, mainly between Morphos, with about 8 pairs being seen. One of these was an inter-species coupling between a male achilles and a female peleides. There was also an ovipositing Owl. The challenge of geting an open-winged Owl image was set by Mark before he left. As the afternoon wore on I found that they were tending to relax their posture a bit, but only in the deep shade.
![IMG_4751-01G.jpg (183.95 KiB) Viewed 1312 times Mating Morpho peleides - Wisley 27-Jan-12](./files/thumb_3678_726fe8f05835dd4168fdfcc55c7beb04)
- Mating Morpho peleides - Wisley 27-Jan-12
![IMG_5067-01G.jpg (170.32 KiB) Viewed 1312 times Ovipositing Owl (Caligo memnon) - Wisley 27-Jan-12](./files/thumb_3678_5401f4ca894facf82d2e69248946b964)
- Ovipositing Owl (Caligo memnon) - Wisley 27-Jan-12
![IMG_4985-01G.jpg (157.61 KiB) Viewed 1312 times Owl (Caligo memnon) underside - Wisley 27-Jan-12](./files/thumb_3678_df47efb8910c7d904bc63074cba0b848)
- Owl (Caligo memnon) underside - Wisley 27-Jan-12
![IMG_5051-01G.jpg (139.19 KiB) Viewed 1312 times Owl (Calico memnon) upperside - Wisley 27-Jan-12](./files/thumb_3678_7592d401ca81aa70fc47a1e76c60fb6a)
- Owl (Calico memnon) upperside - Wisley 27-Jan-12
I hope to go again as soon as the Golden Birdwings are flying
All photos were taken using flash.
Vince
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:09 pm
by Mark Colvin
Hi Vince,
I'm really glad you managed to make yesterday. It was good to have your company.
Vince Massimo wrote:The challenge of geting an open-winged Owl image was set by Mark before he left.
Well done. I'll be honest ... I didn't think you'd get it!
I'll let you know when the Birdwings are about to fly.
Good hunting.
Kind regards. Mark
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:38 pm
by Mark Colvin
Papilio memnon ssp.
Papilio memnon is a butterfly from the Australasian and Indo-Malaysian regions. It shows very strong sexual dimorphism and there are numerous subspecies, forms and variations.
During my recent trip to Wisley, I photographed the upperside of a male swallowtail. Unfortunately I did not see the underside. It wasn’t until I got home and reviewed the pictures that I realized its identification was not as clear-cut as I thought it might have been, at least not in my opinion. My initial reaction was to identify it as a male Asian Swallowtail
(Papilio lowii), though I had my doubts. It may well be that this identification is correct though further research into the
Papilio memnon group would suggest that
Papilio lowii is in fact a subspecies of
Papilio memnon i.e.
Papilio memnon lowii. It would also appear there are many regional subspecies, forms and variations of
memnon with mimicry also in play, particularly with the females. In addition it is highly likely that all subspecies, forms and variations will interbreed, especially in captivity.
So what is it?
For the record I think it could possibly be a cross between the subspecies
lowii, the males of which have tails and generally brighter markings and one of the tailless subspecies, probably the nominate
agenor - though I am by no means sure. It might also be a male Scarlet Mormon
(Papilio rumanzovia) or a
P. rumanzovia cross as there is a black and red eye just visible on the hindwing. I doubt if there are many people who could categorically state otherwise though I’m open to your suggestions.
Over to you ...
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:30 pm
by Colin Knight
Like Vince I visited Wisley last week as a guest of Mark and enjoyed 5 hours of butterfly bliss
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
- thanks Mark! It's essential to take water. I used my Nikon D90, but by mistake took a 70-300 zoom instead of my 180 macro and was glad I did as I was able to pull in some of the distant butterflies. I also used a compact Canon G9 in macro mode which was useful when I was close to a specimen. I didn’t have a lengthy condensation problem – after 5 minutes I wiped my filter and it stayed clear. It pays to get in for the 10am opening as you have some time in a nearly empty glasshouse before the crowds turn up. I will be going again on Thursday hoping the Golden Birdwing will be out. My photos are on
http://colinknight.blogspot.com/2012/01 ... rland.html
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:33 pm
by Susie
You've all made it look so good I am going to try to get there tomorrow afternoon if I can. I think I'll leave the camera at home though, I couldn't get anything a patch on your pictures!
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:46 pm
by David M
I'm very impressed by the Owl open wing shot. Is this a one off or do they (like Holly Blues) occasionally indulge when conditions are apt?
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:43 am
by Philzoid
knightct wrote:Like Vince I visited Wisley last week as a guest of Mark and enjoyed 5 hours of butterfly bliss -
Excellent pictures Colin and a 5 hour stint ... impressive
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
. What I was surpirsed to see was the Giant Orange Tip Hebomoia glaucippe
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
, which is always on the brochure but never seen it seems.. then I noticed you mentioned it was dead
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
. Clearly its not one of their cardboard cut-outs but nor does it look like its a deceased butterfly. Had it been put on the flower for the press
The tailed Jay is another species I've yet to see. What are my chances of seeing it next weekend, for my third visit in as many weeks?
Vince mentioned mating Common Morphos and I noticed you had a picture of a mating pair of Asian Swallowtails. Below is a mating pair of Owl butterflies. They were together like that, the male tucked in between the wings of the female for at least 2 hours. It was amazing how many people just walked past them thinking it was just another single Owl butterfly
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
. It set me thinking what would happen to the eggs and larvae as there was plenty of Musa foodplant in the glasshouse. I asked one of the Wisley guides who said that the eggs are picked off and sent back to the suppliers. "But what about the ones you don't find"? "We spray the plants with insecticide"
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
. I suppose they've got to do that but you'd hope they might put a plant or two aside for such purposes
Finally, Colin, your Indian Owl butterfly is labelled Kallima paralekta. I saw plenty of these Indian leaf butterflies on Sunday, but thought that some if not all, might be inachus based on the fact that paralekta is sexually dimorphic (I think) but the numerous specimens I saw all looked the same?
![IMG_0676b.jpg (411.71 KiB) Viewed 1168 times Mating Caligo memnon.](./files/thumb_10062_228f0901b04fe7672fce0e14b705da28)
- Mating Caligo memnon.
![IMG_0720b.jpg (495.58 KiB) Viewed 1168 times Kallima inachus?](./files/thumb_10062_c90df6ad6716b0ae0d746baea7c0cb41)
- Kallima inachus?
![IMG_0660b_1.jpg (254.29 KiB) Viewed 1168 times Haven't Identified this one yet](./files/thumb_10062_88a1d17736d8ae355583ea46717a930e)
- Haven't Identified this one yet
Phil
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:05 am
by Mark Colvin
Hi Phil,
I'm glad you got back to Wisley and hope you didn't have to queue too long?
Philzoid wrote:The tailed Jay is another species I've yet to see. What are my chances of seeing it next weekend, for my third visit in as many weeks?
Very good as they are there though not in large numbers.
Philzoid wrote:Haven't Identified this one yet
This is a female Diadem or Great Eggfly
(Hypolimnas bolina).
I'll see what I can do with the Leafwing.
Good hunting.
Kind regards. Mark
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:37 am
by Wurzel
Alright Phil, some cracking shots there! I'd go with inachus as well as it looks a lot like the species that I photographed back in December at Bristol Zoo, and they only have the one species there.
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:04 am
by Philzoid
Mark Colvin wrote:This is a female Diadem or Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina).
I'll see what I can do with the Leafwing.
Thanks Mark. I posted on the Identification board to avoid deflecting attention away from your last post on this board which I thought merited a serious response and not a who's who of butterfly I.D. Nevertheleass in essence you have confirmed what I thought which is that identification is almost impossible not least by the lack of concensus on taxonomy.
From Wisley's point of view their aim is to get hold of any pretty butterflies (taking into account supply and cost) to put on a display for punters the majority of whom I suspect are not much concerned about the subtle differences within the Asian Swallowtail / Great Mormon group (although the handouts show there is some emphasis put onto ID). For my part it's made me aware of a complex subject and it's been fun to delve into something I knew nothing about. Now you've pointed out that my un-identified picture was of a Great eggfly, you've opened up another group of variable butterflies and set me off searching for some more photos to upload I'm afraid
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
.
![A Hypolimnas bolina male (Common Eggfly; Diadem); Wisley 16.01.11. 02_1.jpg (306.28 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Male Diadem/Common or Great (?) Eggfly](./files/thumb_10062_8838d0dd19be536a3984acc96c106267)
- Male Diadem/Common or Great (?) Eggfly
![B Hypolimnas bolina male (Common Eggfly; Diadem); Wisley 16.01.11. 03.jpg (391.84 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Male H. bolina](./files/thumb_10062_15f5f0c64c05fea7a8f3a0c84e6639d6)
- Male H. bolina
![C Hypolimnas bolina male (Common Eggfly; Diadem); Wisley 16.01.11. 04 (on butterfly key)_1.jpg (291.41 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Male on a species handout](./files/thumb_10062_1a96945ba47032e07e10042fa8b472b5)
- Male on a species handout
![D Hypolimnas bolina (Common Eggfly; Diadem); Wisley 12.02.11..JPG (183.34 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Males at a feeding station](./files/thumb_10062_20221db8016778efe3cbcac3719353e9)
- Males at a feeding station
![E Hypolimnas bolina female (Common Eggfly; Diadem) Wisley 23.01.11. 01.jpg (275.05 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Female? Great Eggfly](./files/thumb_10062_aac92f0bf1a5d7b7f1de5e32e92362d3)
- Female? Great Eggfly
![F Hypolimnas bolina female (Common Eggfly; Diadem) Wisley 23.01.11. 02.jpg (261.23 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Female? Great Eggfly](./files/thumb_10062_5b632834d0a79f6a0ea83d1320fc80bf)
- Female? Great Eggfly
I took most of these pictures last year and although they are not sharp, you can see that the female Great Eggfly/Diadem has brownish/orangish hindwings and white flashes on the upperwings. The butterfly identified in my earlier post is predominantly brown with no white flashes. To a novice like me it must therefore be a different species
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
I've now found out that it is like the Great Mormon, with the female in particular being polymorphic and mimetic depending on where it comes from in it's large geographical range.
The Kallima inachus or paralekta separation is difficult too. These are some pictures take last Sunday:-
![G Kallima inachus underside, Wisley 29.01.12_1.jpg (373.19 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Underside of the same butterfly from the earlier post](./files/thumb_10062_0f18b94775c81d18004c057107646941)
- Underside of the same butterfly from the earlier post
![H Kallima species with Asian Swallowtail open wing 29.01.12_1.jpg (371.56 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Another Kallima with Asian Swallowtail(?)](./files/thumb_10062_80eb26a468e967b4224dd3a1080401f5)
- Another Kallima with Asian Swallowtail(?)
![I Kallima species with Asian Swallowtail underside 29.01.12_1.jpg (219.27 KiB) Viewed 1128 times Second Kallima underside](./files/thumb_10062_30f0fe6986c0f140372cd4330b37379a)
- Second Kallima underside
![J Kallima species, Wisley 29.01.12.jpg (463.34 KiB) Viewed 1128 times 3rd Kallima](./files/thumb_10062_c9cc2f9b079203cad3c77bf91cf46bcc)
- 3rd Kallima
![K Kallima species underside, Wisley 29.01.12.jpg (256.05 KiB) Viewed 1128 times 3rd Kallima underside](./files/thumb_10062_0ff15c65f8f0cc27067e158f4657b567)
- 3rd Kallima underside
Wurzel wrote:I'd go with inachus as well as it looks a lot like the species that I photographed back in December at Bristol Zoo, and they only have the one species there.
Thanks Wurzel, but now I'm beginning to think it
is paralekta, mainly from the underside (not so heavy leaf rib markings) and the relative lack of a hooked forewing, perhaps
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
Not sure the shade of blue colouration is an indicator though. BTW thanks for the comment on the photos ... taken with my new Canon, I'm getting there ...slowly
![Neutral :|](./images/smilies/icon_neutral.gif)
.
If anyone is going to see the Wisley butterflies soon, keep a lookout for a leaf butterfly which has brown upperside wings with light-blue forewing bars. Paralekta
Thanks
Phil
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:59 pm
by Mark Colvin
Hi Phil,
This is certainly a can of worms …
As I’m sure you are aware from searching the internet, Hypolimnas bolina shows a high degree of sexual dimorphism and the female is mimetic with multiple morphs. To the west of its range the female mimics a number of different species of the oriental and Australasian Danaids. In these areas the butterfly is generally designated a Batesian mimic i.e. it takes on the appearance of a harmful species in order to protect it from predators. I believe that only Hypolimnas bolina is flying at Wisley. So making that assumption (and I know assumptions can be dangerous) its down to trying to confirm sex from your images:
So here goes:
1) Hypolimnas bolina (male)
2) Hypolimnas bolina (male)
3) Hypolimnas bolina (male)
4) Hypolimnas bolina (probably two males though I’m slightly doubtful of the right hand one – if you saw its upperside you would know better than me)
5) Hypolimnas bolina (female)
6) Hypolimnas bolina (female)
So on to Kallima …
I’ve been racking my brain over these. The next time I visit Oxford I’ll take a look at the specimens in the Hope collections to see if that can shed further light. I have been in communication with a UK importer and he said “I've been looking at Kallimas for many years and have not yet come up with a definitive difference between paralekta and inachus. To me K. inachus seems to be more robust than K. paralekta with more pointed wing tips. K. paralekta seems to be a little brighter in colouration with a less wavy margin to the orange band". He believed my pictures were probably of Kallima paralekta.
From what I can see of your images and comparing them to mine I would go with Kallima paralekta, at least for the uppersides, though I know both have been flying at Wisley … just to complicate matters further!
I hope this helps.
Kind regards. Mark
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:53 pm
by Philzoid
Thanks for the ID Mark
I've been looking on the internet for more clarity on H. bolina. It can be named "Common" or "Great" so that answers my question as to whether they were different species. The Wikipedia example shows a picture of a female which looks like the initial one I posted and you identified ... and I think is race bolina. The second one (2 pictures) appears to be race nerina. There are links on Wiki to sexual dimorphism and morphs .... fascinating subjects
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
.
Have had no joy with differentiating K. inachus and K. paralekta male. Hope you have better luck
PS will be going back this weekend (if i can drag the kids along nice and early (10:00 a.m negligible queue's). Will be looking for G. agmemnon amongst others. Saw and photo'ed palinuris last Sunday
Phil
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:49 pm
by Philzoid
Although I might've said I wouldn't be posting again the butterflies at Wisley are proving ot be a nice filler for beating the winter blues. Last week was my third visit in as many weeks and was arguably the best
I Arrived at 10:00 in the morning, this time with my daughters in attendance, each of us armed with our cameras (last weeks results had restored some faith in my new DSLR
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
). Saturday morning (4th) was blue skies and sunshine and this had an impact in the glasshouse, with many insects on the wing moving in and around the plants and nectaring on the flowers. I was able to get shots of species I hadn't previously encountered (and hopefully some new ones for these message boards), although initially there was a 10 minute spell of trying to demist the lens and viewfinder, something I think all the photographers encounter on entry. First up was a King Swallowtail, wings spread open, seemingly content to just wait around.
![A Papilio thoas, King Swallowtail; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (314.46 KiB) Viewed 947 times King Swallowtail](./files/thumb_10062_3dcb446f8de8e120ff61c6b0f8f0ea71)
- King Swallowtail
This was quickly followed by a Blue-banded Morpho feeding on fruit at a food station. No amount of blowing was going to get him to open his wings though.
![B Morpho achilles, Blue-banded Morpho; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (330.42 KiB) Viewed 947 times Blue-banded Morpho feeding](./files/thumb_10062_84f5c4f748635383f41fe951a77a3b7c)
- Blue-banded Morpho feeding
Next came a Tailed Jay which was a first for me
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
.
![C Graphium agamemnon, Tailed Jay (underside) 2012.02.04.jpg (368.59 KiB) Viewed 947 times Graphium agamemnon (2nd insect seen)](./files/thumb_10062_984f0c4aaa269e871f7856db2ef95ecc)
- Graphium agamemnon (2nd insect seen)
![D Graphium agamemnon, Tailed Jay; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (377.99 KiB) Viewed 947 times First Tailed Jay](./files/thumb_10062_2359aeaf2d2bc9e1b44c4993d334bb20)
- First Tailed Jay
As we looked at the TJ a small male Common Mormon Papilio polyetes entertained the visitors by mud-puddling on the floor. The staff were concerned it would be stood on so would move it on to a 'safer' area only for it to return and resume imbibing the salts
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
.
![E Papilio polytes, Common Mormon; (puddling) Wisley 2012.02.04.JPG (438.28 KiB) Viewed 947 times Active male Common Mormon](./files/thumb_10062_640978e10851787aad0ddc658730164c)
- Active male Common Mormon
![F Papilio polytes (male), Common Mormon; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (345.97 KiB) Viewed 947 times Common Mormon, a less active example](./files/thumb_10062_25f355ffec63f83d128cb1b3e1207615)
- Common Mormon, a less active example
Close by was a Clipper with blue hindwings, another first for me, followed by a Malachite, (I thought they'd all gone in the first week).
![G Parthenos sylvia violacea, Clipper (blue subspecies); Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (359.72 KiB) Viewed 947 times Blue Clipper](./files/thumb_10062_e459f8aec92c43ffdfad8fb40b92d505)
- Blue Clipper
Moving on I was able to get pictures of a Leafwing butterfly. These were not as plentiful as the previous week or as obliging at opening their wings. Nevertheless I did manage to get a part open shot and a good underside shot.
![I Kallima paralekta, Indian Leafwing (underside); Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (287.64 KiB) Viewed 947 times Kallima paralekta(?) Indian Leafwing](./files/thumb_10062_ad32d002094c27f73eb9c01c11c8eafc)
- Kallima paralekta(?) Indian Leafwing
![J Kallima paralekta, Indian Leafwing (half open); Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (380.39 KiB) Viewed 947 times Kallima paralekta(?)](./files/thumb_10062_6e452dff77c7ba50ab682f15f86dfe21)
- Kallima paralekta(?)
Afterwards we were treated to courting Owl butterflies, first 2 then 3 then 4 and then even a 5th one joined in a spiralling flight all around us
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
. They kept this up for over 2 minutes
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. No need to go to South America when you can go to Wisley
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
. This was worth the annual membership fee alone. Common Morpho activity was also impressive too
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![K Caligo memnon, Owl Butterfly; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (472.58 KiB) Viewed 947 times Owl butterflies, very impressive!](./files/thumb_10062_fd95687468c1074b71b97feca51095a6)
- Owl butterflies, very impressive!
![L Caligo memnon, Owl Butterfly (open wing); Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (454.9 KiB) Viewed 947 times Lots of open wing Owls](./files/thumb_10062_ded13473c14fed6d6501ef149a2a8ff8)
- Lots of open wing Owls
![N Morpho peleides (mating), Common Morpho; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (482.44 KiB) Viewed 947 times ... and Common Blue Morphos](./files/thumb_10062_cb12ebeb81fb4665c3a50d32258c1941)
- ... and Common Blue Morphos
Just When I thought that was my lot we had this lovely male African Swallowtail settled on a direction sign
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. Like the King Swallowtail he stayed there for some time before flying off.
![M Papilio dardanus (male), African Swallowtail; Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (290.87 KiB) Viewed 947 times Lovely male African Swallowtail](./files/thumb_10062_30ee3ab0fed5bc076bdda251931a1291)
- Lovely male African Swallowtail
On our way out we suddenly spotted an Owl butterfly which had escaped and was flying around the temperate zone
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
. The butterfly then came down next ot the emergence cage and started laying on what looked like a maranta or calathea plant
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
. The staff were made aware of this. Hopefully the eggs would be recovered and larvae reared.
![O Caligo memnon (female escapee), Owl Butterfly (ovipositing); Wisley 2012.02.04.jpg (324.46 KiB) Viewed 947 times Caligo memnon ovipositing](./files/thumb_10062_e0dbf8c7af055cdcfd4976688cc0146b)
- Caligo memnon ovipositing
Mark Colvin has informed us that Golden Birdwings are now out. I see another trip coming on
Phil
Re: Wisley "Butterflies in the Glasshouse"
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:10 pm
by David M
I scrolled down very quickly to view these photos and thought "blimey, these are good", without looking to see who had posted them. It all became clear when I scrolled back up to check.
Philzoid, those images are first class. Thanks for sharing.