Back again with our shy, but determined Apharitis cilissa female, not alone on this SPNI Mt. Meron trail. We had hundreds of other butterflies, of many, different species here there and everywhere around us. Determined to capture dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) wing surfaces, I shot away, with near total abandon. Because when she was nectaring, she would occasionally move her wings, as many hairstreak butterflies do. Each time she did, the spectacular orange of her upper wings would peek out. Wow! I loved the provocative burnt orange. Nothing within 100 feet could match its bravado!
So, after pitching quite a few ehh! slides into the dust bin, here’s one that we can share. My Canon camera’s built-in photometer failed on me, so my work on Mt. Meron was done. All’s well that end’s well.
Once again, this is a protected species, flies only 1 month a year, and is found only in the vicinity of Mt. Meron. Happiness is different things for different people. Comments are welcome and encouraged.
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
Paula,
One month as an adult…I don’t know the length of their earlier caterpillar/pupa duration. The little material out their is all in … Hebrew.
Do and think? Do and think? Males search for elusive females. Females are probably quite indifferent, much of the time. Males nectar actively, for it takes lots of sweet nectar to fuel all of the air flight time that they must put in to locate welcoming females. Females also nectar, they to maintain their attractive looks and to produce healthy, viable eggs. All that must occupy most of their time, leaving little time or tools to thin and do.
Now, as to ’14…let’s agree to Bust out and seek new heights! ?. Savor 2014.
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A butterfly life of one month. I know many insects have an even shorter life-span, but it prompts the question, what would you do and think?
Is this one of those butterflies that do not drink nectar? Those who live (one month) on the food they have stored from the time they morphed from caterpillar into a butterfly?
With less than 72 hours ahead for 2013, I wish you a wonderful 2014. May it be a butterfly rich year!
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