Camberwell Beauty

(Nymphalis antiopa)

24/05/04 Rhône (69)

30/05/04 Savoie (73)

28/08/05 Rhône (69)

This is a fantastic butterfly and usually a rare customer unless you happen to be lucky enough to find it close to a breeding area. I think it is probably commoner than we are able to detect as it spends much time in the tree canopy and exists at fairly low density across a widespread area with sightings often of individual butterflies. The photographed butterfly at the top is clearly a hibernated specimen with the very worn, white fringe. I think the one below it from the Savoie is a hibernator too though it's in better condition. This one was very large and gave me the nice surprise of observing the species twice within the same week!! Newly emerged adults in summer have yellow fringes like the one in the last picture; I don't think this one was especially fresh but it was very large! It remained wings closed but for once I was lucky to catch the quick flick of open wings on camera!