Permaculturing in Portugal

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

Quinta wildlife #9

Butterflies again! The profusion and variety of them here is a continual delight. I’ve been trying to capture this one (on camera) for a few weeks now. Today one obligingly posed for me on a grapevine. The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii), so called because it is in the UK, though apparently not here as I’ve spotted several.

Scarce Swallowtail, Iphiclides feisthamelii, on grape vine leaf

Also encountered a Cardinal this morning (Argynnis pandora), but it wasn’t quite so obliging in posing for the camera. This butterfly was striking for how large it was. About the same size as the swallowtail.

Cardinal, Argynnis pandora

Lots of Marsh Fritillaries (Euphydryas aurinia) about at the moment, as might be expected from the number of caterpillars we hosted.

Marsh Fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia

Marsh Fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia

I also saw a Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) last month, but didn’t have the camera on me.

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2 Comments

  1. roger July 9, 2010

    beautiful, I always fall for butterflies, xxx Roger

  2. roger July 9, 2010

    problem with all swallowtails is: they do not sit still. Best is to breed them and wait til they come out of their puppae, and then they cannot fly yet, and you shoot along….

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