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Sunday, 1 August 2021
2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - GREAT BASIN FRITILLIARY BUTTERFLY (Argynnis egleis)
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Speyeria egleis, commonly known as the Great Basin fritillary or egleis fritillary, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from North Dakota southwest through Oregon to California and south to Colorado. The habitat consists of mountain meadows, forest openings and exposed rocky ridges.
The wingspan is 45-60 mm. The wings are bright to dull orange brown with dark markings. Adults are on wing from late June to August.
The larvae feed on the leaves of Viola species, including V. adunca, V. nuttallii, V. purpurea, and V. walteri.
2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BERGERS CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Colias alfacariensis)
Colias alfacariensis, Berger's clouded yellow, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It was separated from the pale clouded yellow, C. hyale, in 1905. Berger's clouded yellow is a Palearctic species (South and Central Europe, South Russia, Russian Far East, Siberia Central Asia and temperate China also Asia Minor, Caucasus and Transcaucasia.
The wings of the male have a yellow ground colour, the females have a greenish-white ground colour, only the underside of the hind wings is yellowish. The upper wing side of both sexes has a dusted dark brown to black marginal band, which is only narrow on the hind wings. In the cell of the forewings there is a black spot on the upper and lower sides. The males have on the upperside of the hind wings in the cell an orange spot with a red border, on the underside this spot is bright and clearly outlined in red. This spot may be divided into two by the red border, so that it resembles an eight similar to Colias hyale and other yellow members of the genus Colias. In the females, the orange spot on the top of the hind wings is not bordered. The caterpillars , on the other hand, clearly differ from the caterpillars of Colias hyale after the second moult. Both caterpillars are green, however, the caterpillar of Colias alfacariensis has four eye-catching yellow lines with black dots while the caterpillar of the Colias hyale has only two thin side lines.
2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - APOLLOS BUTTERFLY (Genus Parnassius)
Parnassius is a genus of northern circumpolar and montane (alpine and Himalayan) butterflies usually known as Apollos or snow Apollos. They can vary in colour and form significantly based on their altitude. They also exhibit altitudinal melananism, a high-altitude adaptation. They have dark bodies and darker coloring at the base of their wings, which allows them to absorb solar energy more quickly.
Although classified under the swallowtail butterfly family, none of the Parnassius species possesses tails.
The larvae feed on species of plants belonging to the Papaveraceae and Crassulaceae families, and like the other swallowtail butterfly larvae, possess an osmeterium. Unlike most butterflies that have exposed pupae, they pupate inside a loose silken cocoon.
22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BUTTERFLY (Heliconius besckei)
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Heliconius besckei is a neotropical borboleta of the family Nymphalidae and subfamily Heliconiinae, found in the interior of Brazil, in the central-west, in the tropical and subtropical humid Atlantic forest region of the northeast, southeast and south of the country , between Tocantins, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Bahia até o Rio Grande do Sul e chegando, to its geographic distribution, até Misiones, in Argentina. In Brazil, it may receive the vernacular name of Gravata, having been classified by Édouard Ménétries, with the name of Heliconia besckei, in 1857, from type specimens originating from Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro; described in text Enumeratio corporum animalium Musei Imperialis Academiae Scientiarum Petropilitanae. Classis Insectorum, Ordo Lepidopterorum. Their lizards feed on plants of the genus Passiflora (family Passifloraceae).
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Saturday, 31 July 2021
Friday, 30 July 2021
Thursday, 29 July 2021
Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Tuesday, 27 July 2021
28-3-2018 OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN DOUBLE COLLARED SUNBIRD (FEMALE) (Cinnyris afer)
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The Southern double-collared sunbird, or lesser double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus, is a diminutive and vibrant passerine bird endemic to southern Africa. The adult male is particularly striking with a glossy, metallic green head, throat, upper breast, and back. A brilliant red band, edged with a narrow metallic blue stripe, adorns the chest. The underparts are predominantly whitish, and during displays, yellow shoulder tufts may be revealed. Females and juveniles are more subdued in coloration, with the female sporting brown upperparts and yellowish-grey underparts.
When identifying the male Southern double-collared sunbird, look for its smaller stature, narrower red chest band, and shorter bill compared to the similar greater double-collared sunbird. The female can be distinguished from other species by her greyer underparts compared to the orange-breasted sunbird and a darker shade than that of the dusky sunbird.
This sunbird is commonly found in a variety of settings including gardens, fynbos, forests, and coastal scrub. It is a versatile resident of its southern African home.
The species is mainly resident throughout its range, with some partial migration noted in the northeastern areas. It is a familiar sight across its habitat, gracing many a garden and natural landscape with its presence.
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The Southern double-collared sunbird is often observed alone or in small groups. It exhibits a fast and direct flight, utilizing its short wings adeptly. While it primarily feeds on nectar, it also consumes fruit and occasionally insects and spiders, especially when feeding its young. It is capable of hovering like a hummingbird but typically prefers to perch while feeding.
The call of this sunbird is a distinctive hard 'chee-chee', while its song is a high-pitched medley of tinkling notes that vary in pitch and tempo, lasting for several seconds.
Breeding occurs from April to December, varying by region. The species constructs a closed oval nest from grass, lichen, and other plant materials, all bound together with spider webs. The nest features a side entrance, sometimes adorned with a porch, and is lined with soft materials such as wool, plant down, and feathers.
The Southern double-collared sunbird's diet consists mainly of nectar, which it gathers from flowers. It is also known to consume fruit and, particularly when feeding offspring, will hunt for insects and spiders.
The IUCN Red List categorizes the Southern double-collared sunbird as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival at present.
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