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A Small Copper bottom.


A Small Copper bottom.
Photo Information
Copyright: Tim De Chassaing (leboistoo) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 65 W: 62 N: 39] (168)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-23
Categories: Nature
Camera: Pentax Optio 550
Exposure: 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-11-23 16:54
Viewed: 387
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Lycaena phlaeas - Small copper

I was amazed to see this little fellow flying in late November! But as it was a little cooler, it was not so active and I was able to get a couple of shots in before it flow off.

A common and widespread little butterfly easily identifiable across UK and Europe. The upper side fore wings are a bright orange with a dark outside edge border and with eight or nine black spots. The hind wings are dark with an orange border. Some females also have a row of blue spots inside the orange border and are known as form caeruleopunctata. The undersides are patterned in a similar way but are paler. The black spots on the fore wings are outlined in yellow and the dark colouring is replaced by a pale brownish, grey. The hind wings are the same brown/grey colour with small black dots and a narrow orange border.

The larva varies in colour, usually green but sometimes with a purple stripe down the middle of the back and along each side. In bright sun it is a very active little butterfly with the males setting up small territories which they will defend vigorously against rival males or indeed any unlucky passing insect. Even the shadow of a large bird passing overhead is enough to get him going. Females are pursued mercilessly and mating usually occurs low down in vegetation.

It is found in a wide variety range of habitats from chalk down lands, woodland clearings to churchyards and waste ground in cities and can be found almost anywhere in south/central England and Wales although never, it seems, in large numbers. Its distribution becomes patchier in northern England, Scotland and Ireland. It is widespread and common across Europe, Asia and North America, and also found in North Africa. Depending on the habitat Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa and Sheep’s Sorrel are the two main food plants although other Docks Rumex spp are occasionally used. The eggs are laid singly on the underside of food plant leaves and the young larvae feeds on the underside of the leaf creating "windows" by leaving the upper membrane of the leaf untouched. Pupation takes place in the leaf litter and it is thought to be tended by ants. There are between two and three broods a year, less the further north you go. In exceptionally good years a fourth brood sometimes occurs in the south and adults can still be seen flying into November. The butterfly over winters as a larva.

The image was framed, resized and sharpened for TL purposes.
appalcarp, Hitbit, riverfriends, saglamer has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice bright and sharp colors. Judging by the flower the butterfly is really tiny.
Perhaps a little too much BG.
TFS
Regards,
Lurdes

Hi Tim. Nice bright shot and the subject came out well. Good focus for the macro.

Very nice.
Parvaneh

  •      
  • Hitbit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 549 W: 174 N: 476] (5527)
  • [2007-01-16 7:34]

Great macro shot! I love the sharpness in details and those vivid colours!! Excellent DOF and lighting!

Good job Tim!
TFS
Sorry I'm out of points
Grtz Pim

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