Saturday, 5 September 2020
Friday, 4 September 2020
2-9-2020 SIERRA DE ALBARRACIN, ARAGON - HORSE CHESTNUT (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Aesculus hippocastanum, the horse chestnut, is a species of flowering plant in the maple, soapberry and lychee family Sapindaceae. It is a large, deciduous, synoecious (hermaphroditic-flowered) tree. It is also called horse-chestnut, European horsechestnut, buckeye, and conker tree. It is not to be confused with the sweet chestnut or Spanish chestnut, Castanea sativa, which is a tree in another family, Fagaceae.
Aesculus hippocastanum is a large tree, growing to about 39 metres (128 ft) tall with a domed crown of stout branches. On old trees, the outer branches are often pendulous with curled-up tips. The leaves are opposite and palmately compound, with 5–7 leaflets 13–30 cm (5–12 in) long, making the whole leaf up to 60 cm (24 in) across, with a 7–20 cm (3–8 in) petiole. The leaf scars left on twigs after the leaves have fallen have a distinctive horseshoe shape, complete with seven "nails". The flowers are usually white with a yellow to pink blotch at the base of the petals; they are produced in spring in erect panicles 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall with about 20–50 flowers on each panicle. Its pollen is not poisonous for honey bees.[10] Usually only 1–5 fruits develop on each panicle. The shell is a green, spiky capsule containing one (rarely two or three) nut-like seeds called conkers or horse-chestnuts. Each conker is 2–4 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) in diameter, glossy nut-brown with a whitish scar at the base.
2-9-2020 SIERRA DE ALBARRACIN, ARAGON - CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Colias croceus)
Colias croceus, clouded yellow, is a small butterfly of the family Pieridae, the yellows and whites.
Colias croceus is one of the most widespread species in Europe. The common clouded yellow's breeding range is North Africa and southern Europe and eastwards through Turkey into the Middle East, but it occurs throughout much of Europe as a summer migrant, in good years individuals reaching Scandinavia. In Asia, its range extends into central Siberia in the north and barely into India in the south; it is not found in Central Asia.
This species is primarily an immigrant to the UK, originating from southern Europe and northern Africa. In the UK they can be seen on the south coast almost every year in varying numbers, and regularly breed there. Occurrence in the rest of the UK varies considerably from year to year, but they are increasingly observed as far north as Dumfries and Galloway. It has also been recorded in Ireland from the Raven, Co. Wexford, to Belfast, Co. Down.
A truly migratory European butterfly, this species is famous for occasional mass migrations and subsequent breeding, which are often referred to in the United Kingdom as "clouded yellow years". Notable clouded yellow years include 1877, 1947, 1983, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2000.
Colias croceus has a wingspan of 46–54 millimetres (1.8–2.1 in). The upperside of the wings is golden to orange yellow with a broad black margin on all four wings and a black spot near the centre forewing. Usually these butterflies settles with its wings closed, consequently the black margin of the uppersides of the wings is difficultly visible.
The underside lacks the black borders and is lighter, with a more greenish tint, particularly on the forewings. In the forewing underside is the same dark spot as on the upperside, but often with a light centre; the hindwing underside has a white centre spot, often with a smaller white or dark dot immediately above it. Sometimes, a row of black dots occurs on the underwings' outer margins, corresponding to where the black border ends on the upperside. Females differ from the males in having yellow spots along the black borders on the upperside.
In flight, Colias croceus is easily identifiable by the intense yellow colouring, much brighter than that of the lemon-yellow male common brimstone which also lacks black markings. Like all Colias species they never open their wings at rest.
In about 5% of females, the golden upperside colouration is replaced by a pale cream colour. These females have been distinguished as form helice. The pale form helice does not seem to be distinct, as intermediates exist, and the variation is to some extent related to humidity during development, with dryer conditions producing paler colouration. These pale forms helice can be confused with Berger's clouded yellow (Colias alfacariensis) and the rarer pale clouded yellow (Colias hyale). Even the palest C. croceus tends to have more black on the upperside, however, in particular on the hindwings.
Young caterpillars are yellow-green with a black head. Later they become completely dark green, with a white red-spotted lateral line after the third moult. The pupae are green and have a yellow side stripe.
2-9-2020 SIERRA DE ALBARRACIN, ARAGON - FALSE MEADOW SAFFRON (Colchicum montanum)
False Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) is a highly toxic, autumn-blooming plant often confused with true, edible saffron (Crocus sativus). While it produces pink, crocus-like flowers, it is a member of the Colchicaceae family and contains poisonous colchicine, which can be fatal if ingested. Key features include flowers appearing without leaves ("naked ladies") in autumn and strap-like leaves in spring.
Key Facts About False Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale):
Highly Toxic: All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are dangerous if eaten due to the compound colchicine.
Appearance: Known as "naked ladies" or "naked boys" because the pink flowers emerge in autumn without any leaves.
Distinction from True Saffron: Unlike true saffron, it is not used for cooking and should not be mistaken for it.
Foliage: Leaves emerge in the spring, which can be mistakenly gathered as wild greens like Ramsons.
Habitat: Commonly found in damp hay meadows and gardens.
Medicinal Context: Colchicine, derived from the plant, has been used in medicine but is highly toxic in larger quantities.
Differences from True Saffron:
True Saffron: Crocus sativus (Iridaceae family), stigmas are harvested for culinary spice.
False Saffron: Colchicum autumnale (Colchicaceae family), highly poisonous.
Thursday, 3 September 2020
2-9-2020 SIERRA DE ALBARRACIN, ARAGON - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)
The Black Redstart (\(Phoenicurus\) \(ochruros\)) is a small bird, about the size of a robin, known for its dark plumage and bright red tail. It is adaptable and can be found in both natural rocky habitats and urban environments like cities and quarries. Its diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and worms, supplemented by seeds and berries, and some populations migrate in winter.
Appearance Size: Approximately \(14.5\) cm in length, with a wingspan of \(23-26\) cm.Males: Dark grey body with a black face and throat, and a white patch on the wings.Females and Juveniles: Grey-brown all over.Tail: Both sexes have a bright red tail with a single black band down the middle.
Wednesday, 2 September 2020
31-8-2020 PARADOR TERUEL, ARAGON - SOUTHERN BROWN ARGUS BUTTERFLY (Aricia cramera)
The Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) is a small, brown Lycaenidae butterfly found in Southern Europe, North Africa, the Canary Islands, and Mediterranean islands, typically inhabiting hot, dry, flowery areas. It features chocolate-brown wings with bright orange spots and a white fringe, often mistaken for the common blue.
Key Characteristics and Biology
Appearance: Wingspan of 25–31mm. The upper sides are dark brown with a distinct band of orange spots (lunules) along the edges, which are often bolder and more complete than the similar Aricia agestis. The under-sides are a pale brown with black spots surrounded by white rings and orange lunules.
Distribution: Primarily found in Spain, Portugal, North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia), the Canary Islands, and parts of the Mediterranean.
Habitat: Prefers sunny, dry, and rocky locations, including grasslands, scrubland, and cultivated areas.
Lifecycle: The larvae feed on various Geranium species and other plants, such as Erodium and Helianthemum. It is multi-brooded, with adults flying from April to October, or even year-round in the Canary Islands.
Similar Species: It is very similar to the Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), but the Southern Brown Argus typically has a darker underside ground color and larger, more intense orange spots.
This butterfly is generally common in its range and, like its relative the Brown Argus, is known for being highly mobile.
2-9-2020 SIERRA DE ALBARRACIN, ARAGON - SOUTHERN PINE HAWK MOTH CATERPILLAR (Sphinx maurorum)
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Sphinx maurorum, the southern pine hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Karl Jordan in 1931. It is found on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in southern and central France as far north as Corrèze and as far south as the Atlas and Rif mountains of North Africa. There are also records from Corsica.
The wingspan is 70–80 mm. There are one to two generations per year. Mostly, there is one generation with adults on wing from mid-July to early August. In some years, adults are on wing from May to June and again in August.
The larvae feed on Pinus (especially Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster) and Cedrus species.
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Sphinx maurorum (southern pine hawkmoth) is a sphingid moth found in the Iberian Peninsula, southern/central France, and North Africa (Atlas/Rif mountains). With a 70–80 mm wingspan, this grey-colored, defoliating pest feeds primarily on Pinus (pine) and Cedrus (cedar) trees. Adults appear from May to August in one or two generations.
Key Facts about Sphinx maurorum:
Appearance & Size: The wingspan typically measures between 70 and 80 mm. They are generally grayish with black, longitudinal lines on the forewings. They are similar to Sphinx ligustri but distinct as a separate species.
Habitat & Distribution: Primarily inhabits the Iberian Peninsula, southern/central France (as far north as Corrèze), North Africa, and Corsica. They are often found in pine-dominated, sunny areas.
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Diet & Larvae: The larvae are defoliators of pines (Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster) and cedars (Cedrus species).
Life Cycle: Adults generally have one generation, appearing from mid-July to early August, though they can have two, appearing in May–June and again in August. The pupae overwinter in the ground.
Taxonomy: First described by Karl Jordan in 1931, it is sometimes referred to as Hyloicus maurorum or considered a subspecies of Sphinx pinastri, although it is now recognized as distinct.
Behavior: Adults often rest on the bark of pine trees, camouflaging with the surface.
Status: It has been cited as a pest of pine and cedar species in the Iberian and North African regions.
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