Explain why.....
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:40 pm
I know I must be suffering from butterfly deprivation, as my abstract thoughts are getting ever more off-beat.
I checked on my hibernating Tortoiseshell this afternoon (s/he's doing fine, by the way and will be released once the dandelions start emerging next month) and I suddenly became aware of the fact that I was opening the egg box I have placed it in very slowly.
I asked myself why I was doing this and the only sensible answer was that Vanessids are generally quite skittish and flighty butterflies.
I then recollected my experiences last year with both Brown and White Letter Hairstreaks, which were ridiculously approachable and impervious to human movements nearby.
My tin-pot brain started to wonder why this is. I mean, why are some butterflies ready to take flight at the merest macro-movement whereas others will bask for minutes on end with your camera practically stabbing them in the abdomen?
If anything, smaller butterflies ought to be the most wary, since they are easier prey, whereas larger ones might be too much of a beakful for, say, a small finch.
So, can anyone come up with a plausible explanation of why some butterflies are hard to approach and ready to flee at the drop of a hat whereas others will sit happily whilst they are observed at close quarters?
I'll bracket a few into categories:
Tame as a dog: Hairstreaks, Small Copper, Silver-Studded Blue, Small Blue, Brown Argus
Approachable with care: Orange Tip, Common Blue, Holly Blue, White Admiral, Speckled Wood, Marsh Fritillary, Grayling
Greater caution and patience required: Marbled White, Peacock, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Silver-Washed Fritillary, Wall
They know they're being watched and don't like it: Dark Green Fritillary, Comma, Clouded Yellow, High Brown Fritillary
I checked on my hibernating Tortoiseshell this afternoon (s/he's doing fine, by the way and will be released once the dandelions start emerging next month) and I suddenly became aware of the fact that I was opening the egg box I have placed it in very slowly.
I asked myself why I was doing this and the only sensible answer was that Vanessids are generally quite skittish and flighty butterflies.
I then recollected my experiences last year with both Brown and White Letter Hairstreaks, which were ridiculously approachable and impervious to human movements nearby.
My tin-pot brain started to wonder why this is. I mean, why are some butterflies ready to take flight at the merest macro-movement whereas others will bask for minutes on end with your camera practically stabbing them in the abdomen?
If anything, smaller butterflies ought to be the most wary, since they are easier prey, whereas larger ones might be too much of a beakful for, say, a small finch.
So, can anyone come up with a plausible explanation of why some butterflies are hard to approach and ready to flee at the drop of a hat whereas others will sit happily whilst they are observed at close quarters?
I'll bracket a few into categories:
Tame as a dog: Hairstreaks, Small Copper, Silver-Studded Blue, Small Blue, Brown Argus
Approachable with care: Orange Tip, Common Blue, Holly Blue, White Admiral, Speckled Wood, Marsh Fritillary, Grayling
Greater caution and patience required: Marbled White, Peacock, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Silver-Washed Fritillary, Wall
They know they're being watched and don't like it: Dark Green Fritillary, Comma, Clouded Yellow, High Brown Fritillary