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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 9, 2011 13:20:03 GMT -8
In response to your question, I would say yes. I remember a conversation between two collectors regarding attracting Nymphalidae, and California Sisters (Adelpha bredowii) was one of the species mentioned. I remember him mentioning fermented watermelon, and bananas. He attracted several other species such as N. antiopa, but definately collected several A. bredowii. Here I have used strong smelling cheese to attract Asterocampa species commonly known as Hackberry Emperors. In doing this I also attracted Limenitis astyanax, which are closely related to the Adelpha group. In fact California Sisters have been described as Limenitis bredowii. Last summer I found a decomposing deer carcass, I suspect it was hit by a vehicle and died alongside the road. Anyhow, there were so many Asterocampa flying around it all I had to do was stand there and swing my net to collect a good batch of both species, so be on the lookout for natural attractants as well. Let us know how you do. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 6, 2011 19:41:00 GMT -8
Although I usually address Lepidoptera or Coleoptera, I think it is only appropriate to report my findings of the Great Southern Brood XIX (19) of 2011 of Magicicadas. I live in middle Tennessee, approx. 50 miles west of Nashville. I made a quick trip to Nashville last Saturday (June 4), and found a swarm of periodical cicadas that is comparable to their last emergence in 1998, which my wife and I also witnessed. I still have a few specimens from that brood. The most prevalent species in the Nashville area is M. tredecassini, the smallest of the 13 year cicadas. I also found the larger species, M. tredecim, and possibly neotredecim (which was recently discovered in 2000), in the county just west of my location. Magicicada species are generally quite similar, however their singing patterns can vary greatly. It isn't uncommon to find different species coexisting within the same area at the same time. The combined chorus is rather loud, and the sound can be compared to an alien spaceship from a 50's sci-fi movie if you will. For anyone that appreciates the natural world, or is especially interested in insects, this is one of those rare occurences you don't want to miss. After all it will only be around for a few weeks, not to be seen or heard again until 13 years later(2024). There are other broods in various areas that will make their appearance in the upcoming years, some of which are the 17 year cicadas, of which I think we here in Tennessee only get one brood of. The specimen in the photo is Magicicada tredecassini, and the photo was taken in Nashville June 4 2011. Tom Attachments:
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Post by beetlehorn on May 26, 2011 1:44:47 GMT -8
I am very impressed with all the specimens shown here. Nice mounting job on all your butterflies Thanos! The Thaleropis ionia you have pictured kind of reminds me of the Asterocampa species here in the US, which also belong to the Apatura group. These along with the Doxocopa species from tropical America share the same characteristics in general terms. Even the larval, and pupal stages are quite similar. I know I should stay on the subject of European species, but I just wanted to mention the comparison in support of the evolutionary link, if there indeed is one. Although the Apatura genus is my personal favorite for many reasons, I must concede in saying that Limenitis populi is most likely the grandest of all European butterflies, and probably the most well known Limenitis species worldwide, at least amongst collectors of Nymphalidae. In my opinion they (genus Limenitis)share very strong likenesses with the Moduza and Euthalia groups. For me this is one aspect of collecting that makes this activity so intriguing. To observe the similarities of different insect families and genuses on a global scale. It is quite interesting, and brings this hobby to a higher level, both scientifically, and educationally. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 24, 2011 12:14:37 GMT -8
Wow! Those are nice. This species has always been my favorite within the group. I still remember seeing a female of this species flying around some blackberry bushes at the edge of a forest in Germany. It was such an impressive sight for me then that I still remember it vividly now 35 years later! I collected some males but never got a perfect female. They were few and far between as I remember, and nearly always out of reach. Moments like this are what drive me to go collecting. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 23, 2011 4:43:16 GMT -8
As I stated before, rearing Saturnidae is another aspect of this hobby, and H.cecropia is no exception. I have reared several other local species with great success, and they all have their own characteristics. One thing for sure, the latter instars are voracious feeders, and I find the cecropia larvae the most challenging to keep up with, but it's alot of fun anyway. Here is a photo of 5th instar H. cecropia I reared on wild cherry. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 22, 2011 11:50:35 GMT -8
Very nice photos!! This makes me want to go out and get a new camera. What kind did you use to take these pictures? Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 21, 2011 23:05:34 GMT -8
Of the threads I have read here, most of the favorite specimens are day flying Lepidoptera. So I thought I should open a thread regarding moths, in particular the Saturnidae. Here in the US, we have several to enjoy, and many enthusiasts favor the Luna Moth (Actias luna). I also appreciate their beauty, but if I had to choose which species was my favorite of North America I would have to say Hyalophora cecropia! They are the largest (Saturnid) on this continent, and are beautifully marked. They are lots of fun to rear, and are an amazing sight to see when they emerge from their cocoons, Here is a photo of a batch I reared a few years ago. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 21, 2011 8:25:02 GMT -8
I must agree, I find Thanos' collecting descriptions quite entertaining as well. I wish I could be somewhere in Europe this summer collecting and photographing some of my favorite species. I still remember many of my encounters with some of these wonderful creatures when I was young. I always found species such as Apatura iris rather elusive and fast flying. I can remember L. populi cruising along forest paths, A. ilia racing around me, only to land in the same spot again, and N. polychloros resting on the trunk of a European Oak. I used to collect P. machaon in and around alfalfa fields, A. cardamines at the edges of fields and forests, A. urticae and I. io along field pathways where quite often I found G. rhamni. All are fond memories, and I am thankful to be able to recall them. It is stunning to see a collection of Morphos or Agrias specimens, but there is just something special about a drawer full of European butterflies, and I find they have their very own kind of appeal. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 20, 2011 19:28:16 GMT -8
Here I have pictured a male specimen of Apatura ilia F. clytie. It is an A- specimen but exhibits a nice purple sheen nonetheless. For those of you not familiar with these Lepidoptera, the purple is visible at certain light angles usually only one side at a time, but sometimes the butterfly holds it's wings at such an angle that the entire surface is flushed with purple. They are absolutely stunning creatures. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 20, 2011 19:14:58 GMT -8
WOW! Those are some striking specimens. I just love the irridescent quality they exhibit, they kind of remind me of the Ruddy Copper (Lycaena rubidus) only with a deeper purple. I also have to admit that Apatura ilia can appear so striking that one never forgets an encounter with them. I have observed them between the hours of 9:00am-1:00pm, especially around manure and along forest paths. It is along with A. iris my favorite European, (if not worldwide) butterfly. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 20, 2011 15:32:09 GMT -8
Although it may be somewhat arbitrary, my opinion and better judgement says that your female is more of a true aberration, like the male I have pictured, and the intermediate females are more of an actual form. Interestingly, last summer I noticed varying degrees of the intermediate phase or form. Some were almost as dark as the black phase and some were almost as light as the yellow phase. I never tire of actually learning about such things, especially when I discover it directly in the field, and then can discuss these phenomenon with fellow collectors. Most of what I encounter is already known by someone, but every now and again, I observe something no-one else was ever aware of. That is how we as hobbyists can contribute to scientific knowledge, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 19, 2011 19:15:35 GMT -8
Very nice article, and also quite informative. It does a good job of explaining the phenomenon of intermediate females, which I covered in the old forum, and are shown in the photo below. The article says that the abberration occurs primarily in females. The picture illustrated above however is of a male specimen, and is highly unusual. Of the thousands of P. glaucus I have encountered, it is the only true symmetrical male abberration I have seen in the wild. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 9, 2011 19:49:28 GMT -8
I just saw this post and thought it would be nice to share a few of my own. Although these are not rare by any means, I am glad to have them in my collection. In the first row from top to bottom are; A. ryphea, A. sossipus, A. titan. In the second row is the exquisite A. falcata, A. tyrianthina, and A. arginussa. I know some are A-, but they are all good examples of their species. I just absolutely love the Nymphalids. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 9, 2011 19:42:31 GMT -8
Wow! That is a very nice specimen. Hey Bill, maybe this summer we will get some cool ones like this fine example. Thanks for sharing, and welcome to the forum. We are always glad to see a new fellow collector. I have shown it before on the old forum, but thought it would be appropriate to show it again on this thread. It is a male abberration I collected this past summer. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 9, 2011 4:44:15 GMT -8
I just thought I should ask a question regarding membership to the lep society on behalf of those of us that might be interested. How does one become a member, and is there a fee (annual, monthly...)? Tom
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