David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
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Butterflies 2 – White Admirals
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla ab. obliterae (extreme form)
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla ab. obliterae (extreme form)
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla ab. nigrina
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla ab. nigrina
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY Limenitis camilla ab. nigrina
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White Admiral
Butterflies Limenitis camilla can be frustrating subjects to
photograph as they are easily disturbed and rarely stay still for long. Often a
typical sighting will be of one of these butterflies investigating Bramble Rubus sp. blossoms and then soaring
skywards into the branches of the nearest Oak Quercus sp. as the photographer
approaches. They are particularly active during the heat of the day and the
best chances for close views seem to arise when the butterflies are feeding
late in the afternoon when they may become more settled or if they come to the
ground to suck up essential salts, often from noxious substances in much the
same manner as other nymphalids. Early mornings may also be productive. These
other nymphalids include the larger and very splendid Purple Emperor Apatura iris (illustrated elsewhere on this
site) with which they will often share a woodland habitat. White Admirals
sometimes show variations in the extent of their white markings associated with
the exposure of the early stages to extreme temperatures and two recognised
aberrations are shown above, a form of ab. obliterata with much reduced white bands
and ab. nigrina with just small ill-defined areas of pale scales on
the uppersides and very beautifully marked
undersides. These butterflies will rarely remain in a pristine state for long
after emergence as their wings may be snagged by Bramble thorns or by failed
attempts by insectivorous birds to catch them. The larval foodplant is Common Honeysuckle Lonicera
periclymenum.
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