|
Post by bobw on Mar 23, 2020 12:54:40 GMT
Paul
In your post on the 20th with the christina you say that the left column are males and the right females, but the top specimen in the left column is a female, I assume you're aware of that.
In your post yesterday with the eurytheme you say you are not sure whether the top male collected in Alberta may be christina. Check the underside - eurytheme should have submarginal black or brown spots on the hindwing underside, in christina these are missing.
Bob
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Mar 23, 2020 12:41:06 GMT
To any fans of Colias out there I am resurrecting an old post from the other forum which a member at the time "brought to light" of a hitherto very rarely seen aberration of our Common Sulphur (Colias philodice). At the time, the member referred to it as a "form" but, was corrected by our resident Colias expert Bobw in a later post. Another member also remarked that he too had collected a similar specimen on only one occasion... Below, is the original post. Also, below is an enlargement of the posted specimen. One could say that finding one of these extraordinary males is akin to finding the mythical "white buffalo" amongst an endless sea of black buffalo's on the plains of the Western U.S.(circa mid-late 1800's). So, needless to say whenever I happen upon a "white" butterfly of any kind within proximity; I make it a point to give them all a thorough look ! White males are indeed very rare. The only other one I've seen was a white male of C. thisoa which an Italian dealer had for several years at the insect shows in Europe. The reason he had it for several years is that he wanted a crazy price for it. Interestingly, there used to be several white males of C. hecla from Sweden in Jan Haugum's collection (now in Copenhagen). These were recovered from pitfall traps set for terrestrial Coleoptera, and having been in there for several weeks had become bleached by the chemicals used therein!
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 28, 2020 14:16:14 GMT
I saw JT today and had a long chat about these books, he's happy that the reviews are being widely disseminated. He has spoken to Ian Johnson a few times but Pemberley are reluctant to remove the books from their listings, maybe they have some sort of vested interest but it won't do their reputation any good. Evidently when NHBS were informed about the quality of the books they had about 10 outstanding orders, they informed the customers and gave them the choice of receiving the book or cancelling the order - they all cancelled. If anybody is approached by Mr Payne for information - be careful. Evidently he's a very clever chap but a bully who will send very abusive and threatening emails or telephone calls. Well that’s a challenge I accept! What is his email? Chuck I don't have it, and have no desire to contact him.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 27, 2020 17:57:13 GMT
I saw JT today and had a long chat about these books, he's happy that the reviews are being widely disseminated. He has spoken to Ian Johnson a few times but Pemberley are reluctant to remove the books from their listings, maybe they have some sort of vested interest but it won't do their reputation any good. Evidently when NHBS were informed about the quality of the books they had about 10 outstanding orders, they informed the customers and gave them the choice of receiving the book or cancelling the order - they all cancelled.
If anybody is approached by Mr Payne for information - be careful. Evidently he's a very clever chap but a bully who will send very abusive and threatening emails or telephone calls.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 25, 2020 16:27:26 GMT
I believe that NHBS have already removed his books from their listings, hopefully Pemberley and others will follow suit.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 22, 2020 10:37:49 GMT
John wants the reviews shared as widely as possible so if anybody wants them pm Peter or me and we can email them.
John's review of Mark Payne's next offering - the Canaries - will also be published soon and is evidently even more scathing!
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 21, 2020 14:58:01 GMT
That's because they're written by people who know what they're talking about!
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 21, 2020 12:25:56 GMT
I wouldn't want to repeat what most people are saying about him, at least not on a public forum...
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Feb 20, 2020 23:31:50 GMT
A few of us have been discussing this man and his "works" for a while now. The reviews say it all.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Jan 25, 2020 11:47:35 GMT
"Beer is not essential". This statement is very questionable. Beer may not be essential to attract butterflies. However, for the well being of the entomologist, it is really important. In countries where the heat is great, where sweating is constant, quench your thirst, especially after long walks, is essential. And, in my opinion, better a cold beer than a sweet soda. I remember the days of collecting insects in Irian Jaya where alcohol is prohibited: the lack of beer was highly regrettable. After a day of collecting, a cold beer (or even two!) Is essential. I absolutely agree! I couldn't imagine spending a day in the field without relaxing with a beer or three at the end of the day...
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Jan 13, 2020 9:31:53 GMT
Hmong butterfly collector on the La Source trail Are these Hmong originally from Laos? Adam. Yeah, there's a big Laotian community around Cacao. I went collecting with a couple of them when I was there.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Jan 6, 2020 10:04:42 GMT
Thanks for all the help. Thanks for the I.D. Telchin. I searched everywhere trying to find that darn thing! It's a common day flying moth found through a large part of the Neotropics from Costa Rica to SE Brazil. The larvae are wood borers and in some regions are a major agricultural pest on sugarcane and some other crops. There have been many subspecies described but having studied in excess of 1,000 specimens in my own collection and NHMUK, I can only see any reason to recognise one separate ssp. (probably a full species).
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Jan 6, 2020 9:55:30 GMT
Parides have red spots on the underside of the thorax, Papilio do not. It's not quite as simple as that, because the Papilio anchisiades group species also have red on the thorax, although it is a dull red compared to that of Parides. The red spots on the hindwings of the Papilio anchisiades group are also crimson rather than scarlet and the wing shape is different. Adam. I bow to Adam's greater knowledge. I was just going from 15 year old memories from when I did a bit of work with these things.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Jan 5, 2020 10:50:20 GMT
The " Parides" is Papilio chiansiades chiansiades Adam. Thank you Sir! What is the diagnostic character(s) that distinguish Parides from Papilio (Heraclides)? They all seem to blend in together for me in South America. To me, Parides hindwing shape helps to separate them, but in some cases not. What do you think? Parides have red spots on the underside of the thorax, Papilio do not.
|
|
|
Post by bobw on Jan 5, 2020 10:48:14 GMT
First picture: Telchin licus albomaculata (Castniidae) Andreas ...and it's a male.
|
|