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Post by nomad on Jan 11, 2015 10:39:56 GMT
Hi in case, any members here are not especially interested Lycaenidae and have not seen my recent Plebejus argus corsicus post in the history section.. I would like to some help with information on butterflies of Corsica. I will be at Vizzavona in mid July and will have to rely on the good central mountain train service, foot and perhaps the odd local taxi. I would like if possible to photograph the Papilio Hospiton. It does not seem to occur in the Vizzavona area but has occurred historically at Tattone village below but it is very rare there. The best site seems to be The Col de Sorba that I can get to, by either crossing the mountains on foot from Tattone? or from the road south of Vivario. Will this protected species still be on the wing there during mid July? What are the collecting regulations on Corsica regarding non protected species, 40 per cent of Corsica is a National Park, so I expect the taking of any specimens in any part of the mountains is forbidden? Lastly, are there any reliable sites for P. bellieri in the Vizzavona - Corte-Restonica Valley areas. Thanks in advance Peter.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 11, 2015 11:24:11 GMT
It is ok to net in regional parks, just avoid P. hospiton and you won't have any problems.
I have hunted 3 times in Corsica in the mountains.
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Post by nostrodamus on Jan 11, 2015 14:03:41 GMT
Hello Peter,
I was 2 years ago in Corsica (end of july). Haut Asco is a really good place for Corsican butterflies : I found just above Haut Asco following species: P. bellieri, P. argus corsicus, H. neomiris, H. aristaeus, L. paramegaera, C. corinna, A. elisa, A. paphia f. immaculata, A. pandora, ...
David
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Post by nomad on Jan 11, 2015 15:39:15 GMT
It is ok to net in regional parks, just avoid P. hospiton and you won't have any problems. I have hunted 3 times in Corsica in the mountains. Anymore more details of where you visited and when, did you observe P. hospiton? Any images to share of your trips . |
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Post by nomad on Jan 11, 2015 15:54:37 GMT
Hello Peter, I was 2 years ago in Corsica (end of july). Haut Asco is a really good place for Corsican butterflies : I found just above Haut Asco following species: P. bellieri, P. argus corsicus, H. neomiris, H. aristaeus, L. paramegaera, C. corinna, A. elisa, A. paphia f. immaculata, A. pandora, ... David Hi David yes, I have been reading all of the old British collector accounts of the Haut Asco, it seems to be a very good butterfly place. With two days travelling, I shall probably not have time to visit this lovely area, but its very helpful to see what was is flying in Corsica at the end of July today. The Spasimata valley-gorge in that area has the very rare L. coridon nufrellensis. The Spasimata valley, I believe, is very high up in the mountains and remote, so you would need to be staying in that area. Although Corsica has very high mountains, it is very surprising there are no Apollo or Erebia species. Peter |
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 11, 2015 15:59:52 GMT
Last time I went to Corsica was more than 15 years ago. I have visited the Bavella mountains, perfect for Hipparchia species, and the Porto area (which is one of the most beautiful place on Earth). I did not make a lot of entomology in Corsica and did not see hospiton, but it may be there too. If you want to see the best Corsican butterfly, the mythical Polyommatus coridon nufrellensis, you should read this : www.lepido-france.com/84-revue-n-44-vol-18-2009-lepidopteres.html |
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Post by nomad on Jan 11, 2015 16:49:47 GMT
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Post by frohawksghost on Jan 12, 2015 16:02:28 GMT
Deeply jealous of your expedition, Peter. I bet there will still be some decent orchids flowering at the higher elevations too...
Jon
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Post by nomad on Jan 12, 2015 20:22:28 GMT
Deeply jealous of your expedition, Peter. I bet there will still be some decent orchids flowering at the higher elevations too... Jon I love wild orchids, so will keep a sharp look out, I believe the island has quite a few species  |
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Post by nomad on Jan 12, 2015 20:31:41 GMT
I have been reading about one of Europes rarest blues ' Lysandra coridon nufrellensis in an excellent paper with images of adults and their prime habitat, the Spasimata valley in Corsica . I have tried providing a link to this paper by Laurian Parmentier and Emmanuel Zinszer without success, if you want to read about this mysterious blue, search engine the full species name and the pdf will appear. To access the remote Spasimata Valley-Gorge valley in Northern Corsica you would need to be arriving from the city of Calvi. The Spasimata valley is not for the faint hearted because you need a fair head for heights when crossing the swinging suspension bridge to reach the valley, then it seems a difficult climb up slabs to reach the elevation where the blue occurs. No wonder it was called the mythical " Blue Pearl of Corsica by French lepidopterists because it took many years to rediscover the butterfly. Unfortunately although being in Corsica at the right time, staying in Central Corsica, I am unlikely to reach this area.    The Spasimata Valley with its bridge. |
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Post by mygos on Jan 13, 2015 8:26:06 GMT
Incredible place Peter ! You will have to get there again in a near future ...
A+, Michel
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Post by wollastoni on Feb 13, 2015 15:51:47 GMT
An interesting article about a new locality for the rare Corsican Polyommatus coridon nufrellensis by Laurian Parmentier & Emmanuel Zinszner here |
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Post by timmsyrj on Feb 13, 2015 21:32:30 GMT
Fantastic article, this is really making me miss collecting myself, I've not swung a net in five or six years as I have a large marine fish tank that I simply don't want to leave in the hands of a novice whilst I'm away collecting, the corals alone (all soft corals) would fetch over a grand retail, never mind the fish, it's a great hobby but really keeps you tied at home. I plan to keep it going until I reach 50 (2 years from August) then i'll sell up and get back out collecting, I really miss France, the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Massif Central and the low lands, I remember once taking more species in one afternoon from one alpine meadow than occurs in the U.K, it was alive, and the other wildlife is amazing, I once saw an eagle take a marmot the other side of the valley, amazing site (that was the col de vars).
Rich
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Post by nomad on Feb 14, 2015 7:13:00 GMT
Well, I glad Olivier managed to add a link to the article, as I mentioned above, I try and failed, I also found it very interesting. The Blue I hope to see Plebejus argus corsicus, is not nearly so rare but it is still very local. It does seem however, for some unknown reason, to be missing from many large modern collections. I am looking forward to seeing this high elevation Plebejus and exploring the habitat where it occurs.
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