Red Lodge Wood, Nr.Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.
Family : Nymphalidae
Sub-Family : Limenitidinae
Species : Limenitis camilla
This widespread species can be found across Europe, including the southern half of England, and much of Asia extending as far as Japan in the east. It is a medium sized woodland butterfly with a wingspan of up to 65mm. It has a smooth flight and can be seen gliding effortlessly along forest rides. It is usually found in mature deciduous forest where honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), the primary larval foodplant, is available.
Males and females look very similar although the female is a little larger. The upperside is totally different to the underside being browny-black with a white stripe going through the middle of each wing. The underside, seen above, is much more attractive. The adults feed mainly on honeydew and Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and is rarely seen on any other flower. This species is also fond of puddling on damp ground and also extracting nutrients from animal droppings.
All my insect pics are single shot and handheld, usually in the wild.
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