Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Miscellany => Where The Wild Things Are => Topic started by: andyoxon on 29 March, 2010, 09:23:08 pm

Title: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: andyoxon on 29 March, 2010, 09:23:08 pm

Any ideas?

(http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/44799/2032712410101458909S600x600Q85.jpg)

could be a moth...

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 March, 2010, 10:20:59 pm

Don't moths have the wings outstretched at rest?

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 March, 2010, 10:23:58 pm

But....having looked up wikipedia, it appears to have 'clubbed' antennae, which would also suggest b/fly.

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: robbo6 on 30 March, 2010, 12:31:43 am

Peacock, probably female.

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: Moloko on 30 March, 2010, 08:20:18 am

Quote from: Bouthrey Bridge on 30 March, 2010, 12:31:43 am

Peacock, probably female.

Absolutely.  :thumbsup:
You can see its main pattern markings slightly showing through.
But more importantly, the two large spurs on the wing tips are quite clearly evident.

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: andyoxon on 30 March, 2010, 09:56:37 am

Well done, thanks.  :)   Quite amazing what is 'hidden within'.  Is the female similarly coloured? 
UK Butterflies - Peacock - Inachis io (http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=io)

I actually didn't know that some butterflies hibernate; must be relatively long lived compared to some.  Hope it survives.

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 March, 2010, 10:09:25 am

Clarion! Your stoker isn't making much of an effort!

Title: Re: Which butterfly - on a bike rack?
Post by: robbo6 on 30 March, 2010, 04:24:18 pm

Quote from: andyoxon on 30 March, 2010, 09:56:37 am

Well done, thanks.  :)   Quite amazing what is 'hidden within'.  Is the female similarly coloured? 

Almost identical, just the wings are slightly longer compared to the width on  a female.

They hibernate from September until about now, then lay their eggs on nettles, by May last year's generation will have died off, the new generation come out of their chrysalises in July.