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Matt Rowlings

 

Field Notes

Valais, Switzerland, July 2006

NW Greece, July 2004

Slovensky Kras, Slovakia, July 2001

Geneva, Switzerland, June 2008

I have few photos of this species because usually they fly high in the canopy. It flies across most of Europe, including near to my home. It is a very retiring species though, usually only seen through binoculars as it flies high around tree tops. As such, you have to be looking for it to find it, and then you'll be lucky to get a close look. The best time to see them close up is early in the morning when they come down from the treetops to feed on flowers along woodland rides and margins. Another food source used is honeydew - the sugary solution excreted by aphids that covers the leaves of infected trees.

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