<< Previous Next >>

Queen of Spain Fritillary


Queen of Spain Fritillary
Photo Information
Copyright: Paras Bhalla (parasbhalla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 0 N: 1453] (6093)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-15
Categories: Nature
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P150
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-16 1:16
Viewed: 125
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Undermentioned information on "Queen of Spain Fritillary" from http://www.eurobutterflies.com/species_pages/lathonia.htm

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Issoria
Species: I. lathonia

Binomial name
Issoria lathonia
(Linnaeus, 1758)


Distribution

North Africa and Europe, absent from the UK and central and northern Scandinavia. A very rare immigrant to S England but in some "years of abundance" records may total 30 or 40. Becoming temporarily resident occasionally, a colony may last several years (e.g. Minesmere, SE England in the early 2000s).

Identification

The large dominating silvery spots on the underside hindwing are distinctive. Similar spots also appear on the forewing apex, a unique feature. Spring brood butterflies are said to have greenish dusting around the wing edges and basally. They are also smaller than the summer brood. The butterfly can often be differentiated on the wing by the distinctive wing shape - there is a bulge at the apex which gives a kink in the outer margin unlike any of the other fritillaries which are smoothly curving.


Flight time

Effectively all year in the right places and with the right temperatures. The 2007 season has started very early with sightings in early February in warmish (8°C) but sunny conditions. Certainly these temperatures are not normal in Switzerland at this time of year, but the butterflies were ready to fly in good numbers.


Habitat

Hot dry places, often amongst cultivation. In Switzerland it is associated strongly, but by no means exclusively, with vineyards at low levels in the Valais.


Behaviour

A migrant, more northerly populations being reinforced annually by migration from the south.


Additional notes

The underside pearly markings are stunning. They make this one of the joys of the summer. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have photographs that really do this justice.

---------------------------------

Have a nice Sunday!

thanks and regards,

Paras
harpya, hay_kes, cunejo200, tnahari, chrisJ, muhammadtariq, fransx, urs0114, Royaldevon, horias, Sharpshooter has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Paras,
Brilliant capture, you continue to impress me with these photos you produce on your compact camera. You almost make me feel bad for spending close to $2000 on a DSLR camera, lol. Very vibrant scene this is, the colours really explode here. Excellent exposure, the sharpness and focus are impeccable also. Keep up the good work.

TFS,
Scott.

Pars,
Only a word: wonderful!
Horia

Hello Paras,

Oh, what a beauty!
The butterfly is captured beautifully in colour and detail!
Very well composed with a good off-centre focal point, and using a perfect dof.

Have a good Sunday,
Bev :-)

Bonjour Paras.
Le contraste entre le jaune de la fleur et le brun –orange du papillon est superbe.
Une très belle image d’insecte présenté au travers de cette splendide photo.
Le texte d'accompagnement est aussi très complet, bravo.
Bonne journée.
Urs

Hi Paras,
A very sharp capture of this macro!
Excellent focusing with an ample DOF!
Fabulous colors and adequate lighting!
Great detils on the butterfly, even the hairs on its body are clearly defined.
Superb macro!
Regards,

Francis Xavier

a razer sharp focus that one can see the furry back of this beuty.The colors and design of wings are wel taken.POV is intresting so is the composition.A very useful note.Thanks for kind words and wishes on our Independence day.Warm regards

  • Great 
  • chrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4228 W: 414 N: 6653] (42081)
  • [2009-08-16 1:51]

Hi Paras

A superb macro of the butterfly. I like the almost irredescent green on its head, & thorax. Good sharpness & dof. Have a nice Sunday!

  • Great 
  • sela Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 1 N: 472] (3756)
  • [2009-08-16 2:38]

HI Paras, perfect and mostbeautiful in all its ways. Congratulation!Wünsche Dir einen sonnigen Sonntag:-)
Regards Rose

Hi Paras
good close up shot.
beautiful butterfly. clear colors and pattern.
nicely composed with the flowers.
greetings
tsilla

  • Great 
  • john1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 173 W: 0 N: 183] (1490)
  • [2009-08-16 2:56]

Hi Paras,

Excellent macro, details and colors are great.
Sharpness and focus are beautifull.
Good job.
Have a good sunday.
John

Hello Paras,
This is teeming with charm. A superb addition to your butterfly portfolio. A wonderful nature shot with precise sharpness and attractive colors. Wishing you a good Sunday.
Danilo

Simply superb composition Dear...
Nice light .Vived colors.Sharp image
thanks for sharing such masterpieces..
regards
Khawar

Salam Paras Bhai,
What a wonderful macro vith perfect colours and sharp details.TFS.
Namaste,

hAyAti

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1008 W: 81 N: 66] (12198)
  • [2009-08-16 17:06]

dear Paras,
its shining green body between both leopard-pattern wings is very impressive,
it is like a green jewel in the yellow palace, just Queen of Spain!
also this figure is very graceful on the flower,
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

Ciao Paras,


You achieve an amazing 3D effect here,
by combining a good angle on the insect and an accurate DoF!
Silky-crisp texture in the wings,
the beautiful pattern is perfectly reproduced...
A delicate image, a treat to my eyes!

Greetings,

Sergio

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF