Cyprus butterflies

April 29-May 5, 2014:

Not having had any rain during he winter everywhere was very dry and the dragonflies and orthoptera had especially suffered with numbers very low. Butterflies were reasonably frequent and several species were seen.

 

Brown Argus at Smygies

 

 Clouded Yellow - Polis

 

Cyprus Meadow Brown - Polis

 

Eastern Dappled White - Kensigton Cliffs

 

 

Grass Jewel, the smallest European butterfly at Kedares

 

Hermit - near Anarita

 

 

Long-tailed Blue - Smygies and Aspro dam

 

Lulworth Skipper - Kouklea

 

Millet Skipper near Kouklea

 

Swallowtail near Kouklea

 



Cyprus butterflies - 2013

May 4-9, 2013:
Several species were already on the wing in the very hot weather:

Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon), male, near Kidasi

Hermit (Chazara brizeis) near Anarita

Clouded yellow (Colias crocea) at Polis

Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) near Panagia (top) and close to the Evretou dam

Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae) at Polis

Millet Skipper (Pelopidas thrax) near Kouklea

Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon) at Polis

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) at Polis

BUTTERFLY: Hermit (Chazara briseis), Avagas, Cyprus

May 7, 2010;
The Hermit ranges from southern Europe to north Africa. In the northern part of its range it is apparently becoming scarce but is widespread and common in the south. It is a rather large butterfly having a wingspan of up to 60mm. When at rest it behaves in a similar manner to the Grayling (Hipparchia semele) angling its wings in line with the sun so that very little shadow is cast and heat on the wings is minimised. It is found in hot, dry stony habitats with sparse vegetation where its colouration makes it difficult to separate it from the background. Its foodplant comprises several species of grass including Bromus, Festuca and Sesleria.



Photographed here perched on a gravelly track in the Akamas, western Cyprus, it was difficult to pick out against the background.