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Matt Rowlings

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Limenitis camilla

White Admiral

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Unusual red marks near the apex on the upperside of the butterfly just out of focus.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2006

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

One of 5 melanics seen on this day.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

An amazing group of butterflies taking salts from fox faeces.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

The blackest melanic of the day.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Another amazing group - note the Lesser Purple Emperor, Apatura ilia

in the centre.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2005

Hampshire, UK, July 2000

This is a butterfly of central Europe spreading eastwards from western France. It is found in the southern UK. The photograph above is a good representation of how it is found. It flies in mature forests and is found in open glades and paths where it rests on leaves to bask in the sunshine.

As can be seen on some of the photos above, it is very partial to taking salts from damp, salt rich sources. Damp mud, carrion and faeces are all favourites. The particularly dense clumps of butterflies above were centred on fox droppings, a particularly favoured source of nutrients it would seem.