Permaculturing in Portugal

One family's attempts to live in a more planet-friendly way

Quinta wildlife #8

The number and variety of butterflies on the quinta is growing every day.

Wall Brown butterfly (Lasiommata megera) in Central Portugal

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

Holly Blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus) in Central Portugal

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) on the Nespera tree (Eriobotrya japonica).

Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) in Central Portugal

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) on nettles.

Camberwell Beauty butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) in Central Portugal

Camberwell Beauty butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) in Central Portugal

Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa), from both sides.

Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album) in Central Portugal

A Comma (Polygonia c-album) on our freshly-dug vegetable beds.

We’ve also seen many Common Brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni) and Orange Tips (Anthocharis cardamines), though they tend not to settle long enough to capture with a camera.

Caterpillars of Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) on honeysuckle in Central Portugal

A bunch of caterpillars weaving webs on honeysuckle. After Googling around, we think they’re the caterpillars of the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)

And finally, the very rare and exquisitely beautiful Narcissus triandrus subsp lusitania which are only found in the area around Côja, Central Portugal. Generally has one head, but sometimes two and occasionally three. The whole plant stands about 5 inches (130mm) tall with the visible yellow part about 1 inch (25mm) long. It grows in open space and flowers in February/March.

Narcissus triandrus subsp lusitania in Central Portugal

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2 Comments

  1. Ruth April 4, 2010

    Hi,

    We too are in our way to Portugal! It is nice to see so many families trying to be more in tune with nature. We love what you do and we wish you all the success.

    In Light and Love

    Ruth & Al

  2. sophie April 12, 2010

    Just put a photo up of the black caterpillars I was telling you about – ours defo have red eyes though! Any idea what they are?
    http://www.portugalsmallholding.org/2010/04/black-caterpillars-with-red-eyes/
    are you coming over tomorrow with wayne?
    xx

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