InsectNet forum

Paul K · by Paul K » Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:15 pm

eurytides wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:06 pm All these female specimens and yet no one has taken the time to get eggs and rear. We still don’t know the life history of this species, which isn’t even that rare.

Peter Mollmaan who lives in Bolivia also known form YouTube Chanel padromariposa tried to rear them. He obtain eggs from few females but his attempt failed.
Young caterpillars refused to eat many different type of plants that were suggested as possible food plant.
Few started to feed but shortly after died.

adamcotton · by adamcotton » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:29 pm

daveuk wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:21 pm Interesting that in this book the common name is " giant brimstone"

Probably the author called it that because he was British, and the shape and colour reminded him of Gonepteryx rhamni, unless it was already called that before he wrote the book.

Adam.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:22 pm

Indeed, eurytides I agree.
The species is an "enigma" in that manner. One would think after all these years we would have a better knowledge of this mammoth species !

We didn't waste any time getting to know the life history O. alexandrea; but, then again that's a butterfly.

daveuk · by daveuk » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:21 pm

It does occur on some Carribean Islands Trehopr but not the Dominican Republic according to my book on Butterflies of the West Indies. Interesting that in this book the common name is " giant brimstone"

eurytides · by eurytides » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:06 pm

All these female specimens and yet no one has taken the time to get eggs and rear. We still don’t know the life history of this species, which isn’t even that rare.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:01 pm

Beautiful species Dave !

Much like a "supersized" brimstone.

I don't recall this species being in the Dominican Republic but, it may be there.

I have a bunch of Dominican butterflies I can show that were all self-collected if anyone cares to see them...

daveuk · by daveuk » Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:49 pm

Some more real gems here. All beautifully presented.
The lycaenids are incredible.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:41 pm

Here I additionally show a sampling of
some of my European/North African
holdings. Some incredible diversity from
the Neartic zone !

Whenever possible, I try to gather (like)
groups togather in one drawer (examples
are Morpho's or Lycaenidae -- as shown).

However, this just is not possible at all times
so, I wind up pulling togather that which
seems to (mix) well togather in a drawer for
a pleasing "eye-candy" result.

I don't pursue this avenue with everything I
have as I do have a portion of my collection
dedicated to "unit trays"/drawers as well as
other drawers dedicated to entire (series) of
species which I have collected personally.

daveuk · by daveuk » Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:32 pm

This very beautiful species is reputedly common over most of it's range. Despite this it seems to be rarely offered for sale.
A male from Mexico & a pair from El Salvador. I have females which are much paler. Almost white

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:23 pm

Thank you everyone for the kind regards !

Although, these specimens were once owned
by others I still "correct" or re-spread (some)
when I feel they need it. All of my material has
data attached to it to lend it scientific value.

58chevy · by 58chevy » Mon Feb 06, 2023 7:50 pm

Very nice drawers, Trehopr. I think you & Daveuk do the best job mounting your specimens of anybody on this website.

58chevy · by 58chevy » Mon Feb 06, 2023 7:37 pm

The underside of T agrippina is impressive also. I'm not sure whether there is a brown form and a blue form, or whether it depends on the viewing angle.

Paul K · by Paul K » Mon Feb 06, 2023 7:26 pm

Very nice display, as always

livingplanet3 · by livingplanet3 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 6:54 pm

Very nice drawers indeed, Trehopr1!

On the subject of drawers: When I do finally get around to pinning / organizing my collection, I'd originally planned to use 16 X 20" shadow boxes to display my specimens on the wall. However, it now appears likely that in the not too distant future, I will be moving into a considerably smaller, more economical / energy efficient home, and will not have very much wall space. Therefore, it seems that I will need to house my collection in drawers instead, in as compact a manner as possible. If anyone can recommend a source for good quality (but reasonably affordable) drawers / drawer cabinets in the US, please let me know.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 6:46 pm

I totally agree with you Paul !

Paul K · by Paul K » Mon Feb 06, 2023 5:02 pm

Note that the forewings of this record Thysania are dropped a bit ( not at 90° to the thorax ) thus it gains few millimetres , I suppose the “correct” wingspan would be around 301-303mm which most likely giving it the largest anyway.
The specimen form Oberthur’s collection most likely is spread in Victorian style with forewings upper edge almost at 90° to the body which gives the extra few cm although it might be the largest specimen.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 4:28 pm

Thank you mothman55 for that wonderful head on photograph of the Guinness records specimen !

As far as I know that one still holds the official record in terms of size since no one has seen the original specimen of Oberthur's since it's disappearance from his collection.

mothman55 · by mothman55 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:13 pm

I remember the thysania agrippina from the John Powers collection (Ontario, Canada) was at the time listed by Guiness as the worlds biggest. It reportedly measured 308mm, a photo I found after goggling it. It was listed as 1934 Brazil, a female. He has since passed, but I believe his family still has it.

lepman1256 · by lepman1256 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 12:06 pm

As someone who has created real insect taxidermy art for many, many years, I find your drawers to have a pleasing and balanced look. The only other things I do is balance color and many times wing shape in creating "flights" behind glass.

daveuk · by daveuk » Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:52 am

Find these four drawers very pleasing to the eye trehopr. I was always impressed with the framed butterflies I used to see at Watkins & Doncaster & Worldwide Butterflies here in the U.K. & before that on a school trip to Paris back in 1972. I purchased my first Morpho(framed) on that trip. These drawers of yours remind me of those times. You have some really beautiful specimens here.

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