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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 5, 2016 0:21:42 GMT
Here is a unit tray (from a friend's collection) of the very beautiful Banded Sphinx. All were collected in far southern Illinois which is just about as far north as this species gets. I have only been fortunate enough to collect 2 in my visits down there. It kind of reminds me of a supersize White-lined sphinx. The pink + green on the hind-wings along with the forewing bands makes it a breathtaking species to capture !
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 4, 2016 23:54:34 GMT
Wow,very cool wasps and some very good photography Nomad !! Those compound eyes are huge proportionate to the insect. Only dragonflies and robber flies have a greater surface area of facets (that I know of).
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 4, 2016 23:31:36 GMT
I'm getting back to you many hours later cabintom apparently after you fixed the issue. Yes, the photos look wonderful as always ! Many thanks.
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 4, 2016 0:34:20 GMT
Those last 2 images Tom are clear and quite beautiful species however, the photos appear "narrow" or parallel sided looking. Don't mean to sound so critical...
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 4, 2016 0:21:49 GMT
Adam, some idle curiosity here. Today on EBay I saw a Papilio adamsoni being offered for sale. I'm certain your familiar with it as the Ebayer credits neighboring Laos as where it comes from. It is one of the "windmill " swallowtail group. Any chance it bears that last name because someone has recognized you for your expertise in Papilionidae or for your contributions to our knowledge of them? If not this species than have you been honored via another species?
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 1, 2016 6:33:34 GMT
I have to concure with jhyatt on the rarity and desirability of Catocala marmorata. It truely is seldom encountered; much less collected. But, their are at least 2 other strong candidates that I can think of that vie in (equal or near equal) rarity. Those two species are Catocala sappho (Streck) and Catocala atocala (Brou). I say this from experiance. I have collected both of them and found them only as happenstance singular captures on any field excursion. Other Eastern U.S. species which I would term as "occasional" captures but, still noteable are the following: Catocala ulalume, nuptialis, gracilis, clintoni, antinympha, serena, illecta, maestosa, and cerogama. These are just the ones which immediately come to mind. I really cannot comment on the smallest species as I don't know them at all well enough. For what it's worth, I think some of the most desirable species overall for sheer beauty are Catocala relicta, cara, concumbens, nebulosa, and amatrix. To look upon a full drawer of any of these 5 species is simply breathtaking..... Relicta (our white underwing) is so variable you could easily case up 2 drawers of that species and probably still want to keep going ! Cara has a "scarlet" pink unlike any other Catocala-- period. A full drawer of that one would drop anyone's jaw ! Concumbens is of a lighter "hot" pink shading. Staggering species; sunglasses required to view a drawer of this one ! Nebulosa has varying shades of brown colors on the forewings with a slight greenish hint including orange bands on the hind wings. I snap up every good one I can find.... And lastly, amatrix (our sweetheart underwing) whose common name I think is most appropriate for such a striking and large pink species. I am not familiar with any Tibetan Catocala species as mentioned by jhyatt but, I can say that a large Japanese species called Catocala nivea is simply awesome ! Only once have I seen the species represented in a North American collection. It is as large as fraxini and possesses a gorgeous pastel yellow color (almost butterscotch) on the whole of its hind wings. Very unusual.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 31, 2016 8:02:20 GMT
I like the way Oxford spaces their specimens in the drawers ! Just enough between each to comfortably see each individual as well as easy removal -- without damage. I very much do the same method in my own collection. I personally detest shingling of specimens.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 31, 2016 7:48:41 GMT
Gentlemen, let's not forget that those 1000 insects he brought back were most likely confiscated so factor in that loss. And then there is the cost of his lawyer's fees to prevent him from going to jail. $10,000 USD. and maybe more since his case has been going on at least a year. It's still all less than what he earns in a month (20 K) according to the article. But, he will forever remain under the scrutiny of USF&W.....
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 30, 2016 4:48:33 GMT
You have a click beetle Leon. Family Elateridae. I can be no more specific as they have never been a focus of my interest.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 29, 2016 2:39:07 GMT
Here is the other one which has been out about a month. Compared to the Orange Sulphur this species background yellow is truely more of a "sulphur" yellow color. Very bright and it really "pops" against a green background of a flowering field. I would have to say that for every 10 of these I see in a field I may see 3 or 4 of the Orange Sulphur. Quite common -- yes. But, again still a worthy species to capture as "variation" is the theme word about these. Females vary in the amount of black on the borders as well as the spotting. Even the black shading at the base of the forewings varies. There is also a "somewhat" greenish-white albino form female which is found in lesser numbers. Gynandromorphs are on occasion collected as well as mosaics. Also, some very melanic specimens are sometimes found and on very rare occasions a "white" male has been found bearing no yellow at all. A fun and endearing species in it's own right and a species I never tire of.....
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 29, 2016 2:36:30 GMT
Here in Illinois these have been out about a month. It may be considered dirt common as a species but, I still love getting out into a field of these and the even more common C. philodice. Yellow butterflies everywhere. I've seen upwards of 300 or 400 such butterflies pollinating a single clover field or similar flowering field. Against the green backdrop of the field with maybe a distant farmhouse or barn in the far distance; the scene is just surreal. The quiet of the country along with a soft occasional breeze, blue sky, small passing fluffy clouds = tranquility. Against this scene of life and golden yellow glints of yellow in the sunlight; I carefully pick and chose my quarry -- only netting those with the boldest colors. The black amount varies as does the yellow spotting so to me it's still a worthwhile and yet fun species to seek out. You are guaranteed to always bring something back for your efforts and time. Unlike, many much harder to find species found in far lesser numbers.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 29, 2016 2:28:47 GMT
I caught this specimen also on August 9th. Our beautiful Buckeye is a real "dandy" for a common species. The amount of purple + pink within the eyespots varies as well as the orange fringe skirting the eyespots. Quite honestly, I would love to fill a drawer with this species. But, I have to tell you that when it comes to wild collecting these; fresh ones like this are few and far between. They are very active butterflies so their colors and wings do get trashed fairly quickly. Their are one to two broods present in my state (Illinois) depending on whether you live in the Northern half of the state or the Southern half. It is a butterfly of farm and field. It likes open sunny spaces. Suburbia is not a place you will likely find it unless you happen to perhaps have an old railway line somewhere near your home. There, on occasion one or two may be seen due to the associated weeds along the track line. I felt compelled to post this species as a thread because I have always thought of it as one of our dandy little treasures of the Eastern U.S.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 29, 2016 2:23:09 GMT
I recently collected this little honey on August 9th. It is only the second one which I have encountered in many years. I wanted to show what a freshly emerged specimen looks like with it's lovely olive green and burgundy fur covered body. Most photos you see of these shows specimens with "bald spots" on their thorax as well as dull colors or worn wings. Getting a nice one like this just does not happen all that often in the field. Although, it is a widespread species over much of the Eastern seaboard; I would not exactly consider it common (which can be a relative term). If you see one at all they are always single individuals. This species is really appropriately named for it's most hummingbird-like darting + hovering flight. I must admit to a certain trepidation in having to dispatch it. I really find these little creatures enchanting in a way that is not felt with other leps that I collect. However, knowing that this was only my 2nd specimen seen or captured in many years I felt compelled to keep it due to it's wonderful condition. Simply beautiful species.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 22, 2016 16:50:49 GMT
Yes, indeed Paul and Olivier I am certain even larger examples are known from parts of Southeast Asia and South America. One cannot imagine having such a beast present near human habitation. The very sight of seeing one of these things in real life is not only creepy; it's downright un-nerving. This island variant which I happened across was in a wild open area. After it was collected we showed it to a groundskeeper who worked at the place that we were staying at. He was an older gentleman in his 60's and he remarked that he had only seen one which was bigger over the years. He said that he saw a group of chickens once " pecking" at what he thought was a snake which turned out to be one of these.
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 22, 2016 4:58:53 GMT
Here is one of two drawers that I have featuring our native Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) which is found on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. I have always liked this most variable of native Saturniidae. The females as can be seen are huge compared to the males. However, they are not nearly collected as often as are the males since they don't seem to be attracted to light in like numbers. Perhaps, their call times are different ? The males can be quite common if you are in the right area at the right time. The amount of purple, yellow, and "freckled" spots varies wildly. All of my specimens are "wild collected". I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and whenever I find something a little different or simply a fresh hatch I am thrilled with the find and yet thankful at the same time. I have never been a fan of breeding personally. I'd rather take my chances finding something-- so to speak --from Mother nature and her bounty. To me my treasures have all been earned the hard way.... The 2 specimens marked in heavy purple in the 2nd and 3rd columns are of a form which is most uncommon among wild collected material. If you were to collect say 50 males you might find maybe 2 with the heavy purple. No kidding. Females with the heavy purple are almost non-existant. The one which I did find is the only one I've ever found in many trips afield over many years. I'm very picky about what I keep for my collection so what you see here in this drawer is the very best I've found over a 10 year period. My other drawer features another 18 males. Their are 2 color forms of the larvae -- green and brown. I have a brown color form larvae which has been beautifully prepared (not by me) by someone with an advanced knowledge of the art. Found it thru my dealer in a lepi collection he purchased some years ago ! Certainly, a worthy and collectible species ! All specimens collected in Southern Illinois. Union County.
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