WINGS OF THE TROPICS

While going through my photo archive, I have to admit that these are already the last butterfly photos I can share with you from my visit to the butterfly house in Leipzig last year.

I think butterflies are a very interesting subject to photograph because they are very colorful and they present themselves beautifully in pictures. In butterfly houses they are also often more accustomed to people and sometimes even land on them, which makes photographing them easier than trying to capture butterflies that you happen to find somewhere outside.

Of course, it is also a great opportunity to see and learn about different species of butterflies. Unfortunately, there is no butterfly house anywhere near where I live, so I hope that sooner or later I will find another one somewhere along my route. I would really like to show you more photos in the future and maybe discover some new species as well.

Today I would like to present a few species of butterflies that I had the chance to photograph in Leipzig.

SIPROETA EPAPHUS is a butterfly from the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. It can reach a wingspan of about 7 to 7.5 centimeters. It has a very characteristic wing pattern with wide light green or turquoise bands and spots. The underside of the wings, on the other hand, is somewhat lighter in color with an orange and brown border.

This species can be found mainly in Central and South America, where it inhabits mainly rainforests. It also occurs in gardens and at the edges of forests.
It is also worth adding that adult individuals do not feed exclusively on flower nectar. They also feed on fallen fruit, the juices of fermenting plants, or even on moist soil. From there they obtain minerals.

This butterfly can very often be found in various butterfly houses around the world. Because it behaves very calmly, it is often possible to approach it very closely and calmly take a few shots.

DRYAS IULIA is another butterfly from the brush-footed butterfly family. It can be very easily recognized by its intensely orange color. The wings of this butterfly are very slender and have an elongated shape. Its wingspan can reach up to nine centimeters.

This species can be found in Central America, South America and also in North America. It occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical rainforests, but it can also be found in gardens, clearings and meadows.

Dryas iulia butterflies are usually very active. Adult individuals feed mainly on flower nectar. Due to its striking coloration this is also a butterfly that can very often be found in butterfly houses and tropical gardens around the world.

Another butterfly I prepared for today is HELICONIUS ISMENIUS. It is also a tropical butterfly belonging to the brush-footed butterfly family, one of whose characteristic features is elongated wings. This butterfly has very dark wings with a characteristic yellow band, somewhat resembling tiger stripes, which is why it is also called the tiger longwing.

The wingspan of this butterfly usually ranges from 7 to 8 centimeters. This species mainly inhabits Central America and the northern part of South America. It can be found primarily in humid tropical forests, but also in gardens at the edges of forests and in parks.

It is also worth adding that these butterflies feed not only on flower nectar, but also on plant pollen. This allows them to live much longer than many other butterfly species. Because this butterfly is characterized by a calm temperament and an interesting wing pattern, it is also a species that can very often be found in various butterfly houses.

And the last butterfly for today is HELICONIUS ERATO, also known as the Red Postman. The wings of this butterfly are brown or brown-black on both sides and like other butterflies from the brush-footed butterfly family it occurs in Central and South America.

It inhabits rainforests and their edges, but it can also be found in gardens, clearings and meadows. The wingspan of this butterfly usually ranges from 6 to 7 centimeters and the wings are slender and slightly elongated, which is very characteristic of butterflies from this species.

This butterfly, like Heliconius erato, also feeds on plant pollen, and to a lesser extent on flower nectar. Due to its interesting coloration and calm behavior, it is also a butterfly that can very often be observed from a close distance in butterfly houses and tropical gardens.

This is my entry for PhotoFeed Contest - Wildlife Photography Round 160

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