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Photography with cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop |
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| | | | Brown argus | | The brown argus (Aricia agestis) is a species in the order butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), the suborder Glossata, the infraorder Heteroneura (section Ditrysia), the superfamily Papilionoidea, the family gossamer winged butterflies (Lycaenidae), the subfamily coppers (Lycaeninae), the tribe Polyommatini, and the genus Aricia. A scientific synonym for this species is Plebeius agestis. | | |
| | | | The brown argus is widespread and common in Europe and the Palaearctic ecozone of Asia and Africa. In the temperate zones this species produces 2 new generations a year. The brown argus is not regarded as endangered everywhere, however, in the Red List of Germany it is in Category 3 which means near threatened. | | |
| | | Adult Aricia agestis reach body lengths of 12 - 15 mm. Their wings have spans of 22 - 28 mm. The upper surface of the wings is dark brown in colour. The edges of the wings are orange spotted. The underside of the wings is grey-brown with orange spotted and black areas surrounded by white rings. | | |
| | | The brown argus can be confused with other Lycaenidae species, such as the common blue (Polyommatus icarus) or the northern brown argus (Aricia artaxerxes). | | |
| | | The brown argus is diurnal and as an adult butterfly has a life expectancy of 2 - 3 months. It is active from May to September in warm, dry regions, from the coast up to highland in forest edges, clearings, on stony slopes, in heathland, coastal meadows, dry meadows and calcareous grasslands (dry as well as damp) preferably with limestone soils and an abundance of flowering plants. Yellow rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium), soft cranesbill (Geranium molle), and Erodium cicutarium are among the most important crops for the adults. Here they collect nectar and pollen. | | |
| | | The caterpillars of the last generation overwinter. They pupate in spring of the following year and emerge as adult butterflies in May. The adult brown argus butterflies are active from May to June. During this time they mate and reproduce. The fertilized females always lay their eggs on the host plants of their larvae, on the underside of the leaves. The development from egg to caterpillar takes about 10 - 12 days. After hatching the caterpillars immediately begin feeding on the host plants and after about 60 days they have completed their development. They are greenish and have a pale line lengthwise on each side. When they have reached a length of about 20 mm they pupate. They hatch from the pupae from late July to mid September and produce the second annual generation of caterpillars which overwinter in leaves in frost free places. | | |
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| | Description of images / photos
Photography with Cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop | | 1. | Brown argus - Aricia agestis | | 2. | Aricia agestis - Top view |
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