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Scarce Swallowtail
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High Atlas,
Morocco, July 2005 |
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Alpes de Haute
Provence, France, May 2005 |
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Alpes de Haute
Provence, France, May 2005 |
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Var, France,
April 2004 |
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Macedonia,
Greece, May 2004 |
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Macedonia,
Greece, May 2004
One of several
eggs laid at approximately head height on isolated Prunus shrub. |
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Var, France,
April 2004 |
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Sicily, Italy,
May 2000 |
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Catalonia,
Spain, August 2003 |
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Sicily, Italy,
May 2000 |
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My overriding memory of this widespread and often
common species is of it hanging in the air on upward air currents. The
large triangular wings catch the up draughts on hills and they soar
effortlessly for ages without any wing beats at all. They feed at
flowers avidly. The races from N Africa, Spain and SW France are
referred to as feisthameli which many treat as a separate species.
This race is
somewhat yellower than the nominate form occurring elsewhere. Females
are often seen flying around isolated fruit trees and other bushes in
scrubland or open orchards. They arrive downwind of the bush and float
around looking for egg laying sites. It is possible to get very close to
these females intent on laying. |
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