More Butterfly Pics Needed - Page 3

thes3raph1m · #51 (**permalink**) 31-10-2007, 02:44 AM

shame... i just this summer removed my budleiagh (i think thats how you spell it... not :P)

i used to have loads of flutterbys in my garden, including at least 5 of the ones you mentioned in your want list

lol, oh well... better luck with my spiders eh!

Linda frost · #52 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:26 PM

Hi could anybody please tell me what these two species are please, the butterfly hovers which caught my attention and if the second picture is a caterpiller or not, it hissed at me!!

Thanks

goosey · #53 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:30 PM

Hi Linda, the butterfly is possibly a Swallowtail Papilio machaon

,

Linda frost · #54 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:38 PM

Thanks Goosey

i have wondered for so long, its a beautful butterfly and also loves to have its pic taken

i can do some more research now i have a name thanks again.

GuyF · #55 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:45 PM

Hi Linda,
Your butterfly is actually a Scarce Swallowtail. I'm not sure about the caterpillar, but I think it might be a Deaths Head Hawkmoth.
Were these 2 found abroad?
Guy

Linda frost · #56 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 06:26 PM

Thanks GuyF. Yes they were found in our garden in Turkey, i have never seen anything like the Deaths Head Hawkmoth before, its 4inchs long and hissed like a snake when feels it is under threat!! could you please tell me if the Deaths head is harmful? The Swallowtail glides and hovers, such a beauty.Thanks for your promp reply,

Linda frost · #57 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 06:30 PM

Sorry my husband has just had a thought..if that is the size of the caterpiller, what size would the Moth be?

Linda frost · #58 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 06:56 PM

Hi Guy, i have researched on Deaths Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia Atropos) and i cannot seem to find an image of one that matches mine, they also say they clicked, mine definitely hissed just like a snake!! any more thoughts on this please? thanks.

GuyF · #59 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda frost

Hi Guy, i have researched on Deaths Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia Atropos) and i cannot seem to find an image of one that matches mine, they also say they clicked, mine definitely hissed just like a snake!! any more thoughts on this please? thanks.

The adult moths are one of the largest in Europe, they've got a wingspan of around 13cm!
I'm pretty certain that you're caterpillar is a species of Hawkmoth, the 'horn' on the back end is typical of Hawkmoth caterpillars. Caterpillars often change colour just before they pupate, which may explain why it looks different. However, Deaths Head Hawkmoth is just a guess and I'm not really sure which species it is, there are quite a lot of Hawkmoth species in Southern Europe. I will have a look around, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to give you a definite id!
Guy

Linda frost · #60 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 07:00 AM

Hello again Guy
Thanks again for the info, 13cm wingspan, i shall keep my eyes peeled for that moth!! camera at the ready

i have a few more photos of the deaths hawkmoth if you want to see them, i just posted the best one.
Linda.

dmclean2 · #61 (**permalink**) 24-12-2007, 12:55 PM

OUCH!!!!
Duncan

tristanba · #62 (**permalink**) 25-12-2007, 07:38 PM

Hi Linda,

Its a final instar larva of the Oleander Hawk-moth, one of the most spectacular moths in Europe. You can see pictures of all the life stages here
Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa

Your caterpillar looks like it has darkened and is ready to pupate.

Interesting you say it 'hissed' - I've not heard anything about this, but its certainly completely harmless!

Best wishes
Tristan

RobinP · #63 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 03:02 PM

Hi Stuart

Just submitted my Monarch pic for approval - the first one for UK!

Robin

Vanessa Hubbert · #64 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 07:46 PM

Hi
someone might be able to help me solve a mystery....today I found a black butterfly with bright red markings and can not find anything like it in reference books or on the net. I think it had just been trodden on so wasn't looking its best but you could clearly see a dark black body and wings and these red markings, unfortunately I didn't think to pick it up to bring home which would have helped you with identifying it !

hope you can help !

aeshna5 · #65 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanessa Hubbert

Hi
someone might be able to help me solve a mystery....today I found a black butterfly with bright red markings and can not find anything like it in reference books or on the net. I think it had just been trodden on so wasn't looking its best but you could clearly see a dark black body and wings and these red markings, unfortunately I didn't think to pick it up to bring home which would have helped you with identifying it !

hope you can help !

Possibly a moth- try looking at images of Cinnabar or a couple of the tiger moths + see if they resemble your critter!

GuyF · #66 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 07:55 PM

Hi Vanessa, welcome to the site,
Try looking at the Cinnabar Moth, they're one of our most colourful moths and are often mistaken for butterflies.
Guy

Edit: Aeshna, you've beaten me to it!

John · #67 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:02 PM

I agree with Guy & aeshna5's suggestion. Here's a photo of one taken by Gwenhwyfar.

Is this what you was looking at?

John

Vanessa Hubbert · #68 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:31 PM

thanks for your prompt replies...yes john I think that is the guy! the body appeared more slender than I would have expected for a moth (although it was on its last legs!) but the wing colouration is correct. thanks for clearing up the mystery!

IanMacfadyen · #69 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 10:44 PM

Hi, I only JUST joined this website and I can assist in providing a lovely photograph of a Purple Emperor and a Marsh Fritillary, - however I note that external photo's are not permitted, so if you're interested you'd better advise me as to what I'd have to do. Regards, Ian Mac.

RobinP · #70 (**permalink**) 30-06-2008, 08:52 AM

Ian

When you reply you will see 'My gallery Photos - My Images' just above this box, click on either (gallery is for good quality images) and follow your nose. Remember to label gallery images as <common name> - <latin name> otherwise they will be rejected. Also observe the size limits for photos.

Hope that helps.

Robin