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leaf-like butterflies


leaf-like butterflies
Photo Information
Copyright: CArlos Prieto (Panthiades) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 18 W: 0 N: 74] (465)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-18
Categories: Insects
Exposure: f/4, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Butterflies of South America [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-22 9:46
Viewed: 7546
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Alfred Rusell Wallace mentioned dead leaf butterflies in several of his writings. One important article was called Mimicry, and Other Protective Resemblances Among Animals, (Westminster Review, 1867). He says that this type of butterfly was '...the most wonderful and undoubted case of protective resemblance in a butterfly...' he had ever seen.

Within the species there is a lot of variation. Wallace estimated that '...out of fifty specimens no two can be found exactly alike, but every one of them will be of some shade of ash or brown or ochre, such as are found among dead, dry, or decaying leaves'. Some of them even look like they have holes in the wings and patterns that look like the fungi that grow on dead leaves. When the butterfly rests, it tightly closes its wings and '...the little tails of the hind wing touch the branch, and form a perfect stalk to the leaf...the irregular outline of the wings gives exactly the perspective effect of a shrivelled leaf'.

Zaretes itys (Nymphalidae: Charaxinae)

Acabo de regresar de una salida de campo al Amazonas Colombiano..el clima no estuvo muy favorable para tomar fotos, pero el último día logre capturar esta hermosa especie copulando (Zaretes itys). La hembra es la más grande y de color mas claro.
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Critiques [Translate]

Olá Carlos.
Que registro fantástico!
Confesso-lhe que eu sonho em fotografar uma dessas!
Cores super naturais e um enquadramento perfeito.
Parabéns pelo feito, e obrigado por compartilhar essa preciosidade!
Abraços,
José Roberto

  • Great 
  • Pitter (62)
  • [2008-09-22 12:25]

Excelente foto de un especie interesante.

Hi Carlos

Great shot of this pair of leaf butterflies
Amazing adaptation
Good composition and sharpness

Chris

Hola Carlos,
Si no leía el título me parecía una simple foto de hojas secas, ya la había visto y no le presté atención. Pero una vez leído, la abrí y me pareció fantástica, la foto y el mimetismo de estas mariposas,. buen documento
Saludos
Hernán

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