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June/July 2016
Western Alps : Part 5
Butterflies : Heaths & Ringlets (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Of the 5 species of Heaths that occur in the Western Alps the Small Heath should be the species most people are already familiar with, as it is an abundantly common species throughout Europe.
Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
Pearly Heath is also relatively common throughout most of continental Europe and is easily recognised by the broad white band on the hindwing.
Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion)
The Western Alps are at the far eastern extent of the range of Chestnut Heath and it is locally common in some areas. The number, size and brightness of the eyespots on the hindwing are very variable and can be completely absent (especially at higher altitudes).
Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion) |
Alpine Heath (Coenonympha gardetta) |
Alpine Heath is a montane species endemic to the Alps and the high mountains of Albania, Serbia & Bosnia. It is mostly found between 1200-2400m altitude but can occur as high as 3000m.
Alpine Heath (Coenonympha gardetta)
Alpine Heath (Coenonympha gardetta)
Ringlets are a tricky group to photograph well and although I saw about a dozen species I didn't have a whole lot of success with photographing them on this trip. They tend to be very active butterflies, rarely sitting still, and when they do stop for a rest they are incredibly vigilant, making getting close enough to photograph them extremely difficult. It is on occasions like these that I wish I had a 180mm macro!
Large Ringlet (Erebia euryale)
Ringlets are also very sensitive to flash so you usually have to rely completely on natural light when photographing them which often results in a very reduced depth of field.
Almond-eyed Ringlet (Erebia alberganus)
Almond-eyed Ringlet is by far the most commonly encountered Ringlet and is abundant in many places.
Almond-eyed Ringlet (Erebia alberganus) |
Almond-eyed Ringlet (Erebia alberganus) being eaten by a spider |
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