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David M wrote:Bet you're exhausted, Guy, but as you say, it was well worth it.

Large Copper as a first in the country in which you reside.

I'd call that a landmark day. Hopefully now you know they're present you'll be able to do more research.

I think I know where that one hailed from so yes - I will revisit and see if I can observe the colony. The only thing is, it's a long way! Here's the map for dispar:



I live where the black blob is. The butterfly lives in two separate concentrations, one west of Geneva and one in the Jura - and nowhere else. I had to get up at 5.15am today in order to get by bike and train and bike to the black hairstreaks in time for their morning show, while all my colleagues were taking their Saturday lie-in. But maybe next time I'll go just for the coppers. It is a fantastic insect and one I very, very rarely see at all, let alone in Switzerland.

Guy

Amazing stuff. Even for someone as experienced as you this must be quite exciting.

Who cares about the 5.15 alarm call? It's the others who are missing out.

Excellent stuff Guy.... for what it's worth I would say idas but what an odd looking forewing upperside, even allowing for wear. what is your own instinct? Also, I presume your Violet Coppers were from a site near you, the one you thought might be threatened last year?? hope that suggests they are coping That Large Copper has travelled a bit hasn't it?

Hi Rev. If it helps, here's a worse photo of that Plebejus, showing the shape of those lunules better (I was using point light metering and it suddenly turned so its wings were in the shade):



Fresh idas and argyrognomon males are usually very distinctive and females are always easy but I do find worn males difficult.

For comparison, here's another Plebejus I found 'nectaring' on the road nearby:



That one has more the air of a male silver-stud. It is also very much fresher than any other Plebejus I saw yesterday. It never showed its upperside (except in flight) and I decided not to net it for close examination as I was trying to reach another site before the day got too hot (and my net was folded in my backpack).

Yes, my violet coppers were near me but not the same site that went extinct. I have discovered they fly across quite a wide area, where there is suitable habitat. The great amount of precipitation this year should have refreshed the boggy areas too, so I have high hopes for them.

The large copper was right next to a wetland west of Geneva and doubtless came from there. It was I who travelled, not it!

Guy

Then.... well travelled that man!

Ah... well at least that means that helle is still close at hand.

and sorry - I'm now out of my league with the plebejus

Aurelian has moved again and is now at the top end of an uneaten leaf in a different leaf cluster (with no sign of nibbling of any of the leaves). I wonder if he intends to slide over the top and pupate beneath this leaf. He has been in the final instar one week and is certainly fat and fully mature. I'll probably check first thing tomorrow, before school to see if anything has happened.







Guy

He didn't pupate that night, nor the next (both of which were cold and partly wet). This evening he had moved yet again (but not far) and there were signs of feeding on nearby leaves (but not on his new resting leaf or any in that cluster). It is now nine days since he entered the fifth and final instar. It is encouraging that he is still easy to find (despite such wonderful camouflage).





Guy

By last night Aurelian still hadn't pupated and was in exactly the same place. As I cycled home a storm set in and it rained all day today so I haven't checked again. He is now 11 days into the fifth instar. Next check tomorrow morning, as I leave for the valley (Provençal fritillary, ilex hairstreak... I hope).

Aurelian on 7th June:





The camouflage is remarkable!

Guy

It sure is!

padfield wrote:By last night Aurelian still hadn't pupated and was in exactly the same place.

Superb story, Guy!

Having reared iris in captivity, Aurelian will retreat to the underside of a sallow leaf and spend 2 days facing away from the leaf tip while he/she builds a silk pad. Then he/she will reverse their position, and face toward the leaf tip for 2 more days before finally pupating.

[Edit] A couple of links so as not to clutter your diary:

gallery/images/upload/228971b740d6ce298 ... 2a5b05.jpg
gallery/images/upload/4373769140ef6fde0 ... d989eb.jpg

As I said - great stuff!

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks for that information, Pete. In the past I've always lost my iris cats at this stage - and I must admit that as I watched this little chap through his hibernation I never dared dream I would still be watching him 11 days into this last instar. It's useful to know that if I lose him now he might be resting up beneath a leaf (where he will be much less visible from my vantage point on the 'outside' of the bush).

I'm actually very glad he didn't pupate because the timing meant he might have emerged during exam week. I have no problem being late for a normal lesson or a staff meeting because I'm down the woods filming an emergence but if I don't arrive for an exam invigilation I let all my colleagues down! If he does a full 14 days in the chrysalis now he will emerge after the end of term. It would be quite a triumph to film a purple emperor from egg to adult in the wild...

Guy

Guy, if you DO manage to follow him all the way through your efforts will be worthy of legendary status.

I almost feel he's a member of my family such is the level of affinity I've built for him.

Thank you for your support, David!

Today worked out much as planned with some surprises thrown in. As expected, Aurelian was in the same place this morning and Provençal fritillaries were out in good numbers in the valley (when I last checked, two weeks ago, there were none). This is the Swiss subspecies, berisalii:





It seems to be early still for ilex hairstreaks but I did see one individual:



Southern white admirals were prominent, with at least ten individuals crossing my path today. Most behaved absolutely normally, defending territories vigorously against all comers while keeping a wary distance from me. One, however, was obviously deeply atracted by the odours emanating from my body and flew round me a couple of times before landing in the most awkward possible place - on my left heel:



It then crawled up the back of my trousers and jumped onto my camera bag, swung round behind me on the right. I was also wearing a backpack and it was with some considerable contortion that I managed to take some pictures of the butterfly as it manoevred behind my back!





That was an amusing encounter. My next surprise was an early grayling. Last year I saw my first grayling at the beginning of June but last year was exceptional. I didn't expect to see one today. Here it is:



It is a strange time of year. Pristine hutchinsoni commas were flying alongside last season's commas. Brimstones and orange tips gave everything a spring feel but they flew along the edges of fields filled with marbled whites. This Camberwell beauty will probably die before his children are born but if he just holds out a little longer...



Large skipper, small skipper and Essex skipper are all common now. Here is an Essex skipper taking mud:



As always, I took hundreds of photos, so here is a selection:


Marbled skipper


Safflower skipper


Knapweed fritillary


Scarce swallowtail


Osiris blue


Northern brown argus


Amanda's blue (female)


Swiss Zephyr blue


Turquoise blue


Mazarine blue


Large skipper


Queen of Spain

In all, 46 species crossed my path today and I got a photo of most of them - so that will do for now.

Guy

padfield wrote: In all, 46 species crossed my path today and I got a photo of most of them - so that will do for now.

Any jobs going in your locality, Guy?

What are like Guy? I have a great day - Glanvilles and an aberrant one, Greenstreak, and two lifers ( a bee and a Wood White or 20) and you go and spoil it for me with 46 species, that was my total for the year in 2011!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

As usual a superb report & pics, Guy

Wurzel wrote:What are like Guy? I have a great day - Glanvilles and an aberrant one, Greenstreak, and two lifers ( a bee and a Wood White or 20) and you go and spoil it for me with 46 species, that was my total for the year in 2011!

There are more butterflies in Switzerland but the British butterflies are still the best in Europe. Cherish them!

As Aurelian is now in day 13 of his 5th instar and still showing no signs of rushing into any lifestyle changes, I wonder if one of the iris experts could tell me how long I should expect him to spend in this instar. It would be interesting and helpful to know.

Here he is this morning:



Guy

Hi Guy,
The time spent in each instar is entirely dependant upon feeding opportunities dictated by the weather - larval growth can be either amazingly rapid or completely retarded. He looks nearly cooked to me, so it wouldn't surprise me if he loses his appetite any day now. His colour will start to slowly drain away, becoming duller and paler, particularly once the silk is spun, when he'll take on an almost granular appearance. Hope things turn out well this year!
Neil

Thanks, Kipper. Colours are difficult to judge with the different light conditions - and I never touch his branch or move any leaves now he is big - but I did consciously notice this morning that his lower end was a paler, lime green. He seems to have lost the delicate blue-grey shade at the extremities that marks the fresh 5th instar cat. The weather is generally cool but will become föhny by the end of the week, with great warmth expected on Friday so I guess I'll keep checking on him every day and hope he'll be at least laid up for pupation by the weekend.

Guy

padfield wrote: Southern white admirals were prominent, with at least ten individuals crossing my path today. ......
Guy

I will never tire of watching SWA's flit and glide as they patrol their territories. I have only seen one or two in Provence; it must be wonderful to have that many around you...
N