S.S.B. Emergence Series pt1

GOLDENORFE

the silver studded blue butterflys emerge from ants nests, helped out of the ground by the ants then cleaned by them. amazing to watch.

all single frames, no focus stacking.

phil






all eyes in focus

DeVil

WOW! Superb work. Just brilliant.
The second shot is amazing. What gear?

Lord Vetinari

Excellent shots Phil - but how does the butterfly get out of the small holes ? - does it get out before the wings have expanded ?

Brian V.

Chrissiebeez_NL

Amazing! how did i miss this?!?

Bump for all!

IPClark

Absolutely beautiful Phil.

Chrissiebeez_NL

and why do they come from ant holes?? what is the symbiosis between them?

PeterD-2009

Beautiful series Phil. Thanks for showing them

GOLDENORFE

thanks for comments everyone
a bit of info -

To survive the Silver-studded Blue butterfly requires the presence of ants together with open ground containing short heathland vegetation. The females are known to utilise bell and ling heather and bird's foot trefoil, near to ants' nests, when laying their eggs. The chrysalis is formed underground within chambers of the ants nest. The caterpillar is tended by the ants as it feeds on the leaves and shoots of its food plants. The benefit to the ant is a tasty honey-like dew excreted by the caterpillar which the ants find irresistible

phil