Swallowtail chrysalis.
One of the rewards of not mowing the orchard until the autumn is that Swallowtail Papilio machaon (Fr. Machaon) can successfully breed there. Their chrysalises, low down in the vegetation, are in no danger of being destroyed by me, although I do have to watch out for their caterpillars, on Wild Carrot Daucus carota (Fr. Carotte), and have been known to mow around them.
Newly emerged Swallowtail.
The other day I encountered a newly emerged Swallowtail. That would have been reward enough, but some very odd behaviour was being displayed by a different butterfly in the vicinity. The Swallowtail was being repeatedly landed on by a Marbled White Melanargia galanthea (Fr. Demi-deuil). No idea what it was about, but it clearly bothered the Swallowtail. It seemed like some sort of attack or insistent demand for attention.
Newly emerged Swallowtail being pestered by a male Marbled White.
Repeatedly.
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6 comments:
Brilliant photographs.
Thank you. The subjects were quite obliging, which always helps, plus lots of light.
What a great set of photos, well done. Happy day, Diane
I don't know what they are (and don't really care lol) but I have hundreds of little butterflies among my blooming herbs. It's such a treat to watch them all. And hummingbird moths, too.
Many herbs are very attractive to butterflies.
Thanks Diane.
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