InsectNet forum

I came across a wonderful small series of this
patterned reddish-orange nymphalid species
from Morocco.

Funny, how when I think of North Africa (or at
least) the northwest corner of it; I envision a
rather desolate landscape with maybe some
scrub type regions. Probably, camels, an oasis
(here and there) and generally dry conditions.

Yet, to my great suprise such a lovely species
is there to be found. All specimens were collected
in the early 1990's by W.J.Tennent

Pretty sure these are Euphydryas desfontainii.
Beautiful!!

Trehopr1 wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:07 am Funny, how when I think of North Africa (or at
least) the northwest corner of it; I envision a
rather desolate landscape with maybe some
scrub type regions. Probably, camels, an oasis
(here and there) and generally dry conditions.

Yet, to my great suprise such a lovely species
is there to be found. All specimens were collected
in the early 1990's by W.J.Tennent

It is because you forget the Atlas Mountains where Ifrane is. In altitude, the weather is colder and with a good level of humidity. It was a paradise before. Now it suffers of deforestation, cattle and global warming but remains a splendid place in North Africa.

Atlas Mountains :


Ifrane village (where your specimen comes from) :

Ifrane is called "the little Moroccan Switzerland".

Now you will have a more complete vision of Morocco ! Not only sand and desert !

Wow !!

Never would have imagined that would be part of Morocco.

to: Wollastoni and Trehopr1
It is interesting to read your recent posts.
I have also spent time for collection in the High Atlas in Morocco.
It is possible to be in the mountains in one metre of snow and look far south to the sand and the heat of the Sahara desert.
Morocco is a country of varied topography.
Colon

Even desertic areas can be surprising. I spent one week in South Tunisia near Tataouine in the 2000ies.
Surprisingly we had some rain on the first day. The guide told me it hadn't rain for many months. I thought how unlucky I was to be under the rain there...

But the day after, the sun was back and the desertic area was full of small yellow flowers and Euchloe (Pieridae) !
As it nearly never rains there, the nature knows how to exploit rain when it happens. The desert was green ! Few days later, all was burnt by the sun and very arid again.

A picture of Tataouine, some Star Wars movies were shot there. In the last ten years, a lot of issue with terrorist groups installed in the area...

daveuk wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 7:56 am Pretty sure these are Euphydryas desfontainii.
Beautiful!!

Yes!
But the ssp is hard to say.
I can look it up if you like. Tennents book on Morocco is fantastic.

Kirkwilliams wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 7:21 pm

daveuk wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 7:56 am Pretty sure these are Euphydryas desfontainii.
Beautiful!!

Yes!
But the ssp is hard to say.
I can look it up if you like. Tennents book on Morocco is fantastic.

Yes it is, and so are his books on the Solomon Island butterflies and the Meek biography! The word is that he's working on a book on the butterflies of the Milne Bay region of PNG now.
jh

Michel Tarrier has done some fantastic work in Morocco, I would highly recommend his books and specimens, all first rate.

jhyatt wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:29 pm The word is that he's working on a book on the butterflies of the Milne Bay region of PNG now.

Yes, he's been working on that for a number of years now.

Adam.

adamcotton wrote: Sun Jul 03, 2022 8:21 am

jhyatt wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:29 pm The word is that he's working on a book on the butterflies of the Milne Bay region of PNG now.

Yes, he's been working on that for a number of years now.

Adam.

Tennent's Meek biography had a pretty long diapause too, but was well worth the wait!

Cheers,
jh

Tennent might be paying me a visit in NZ this year. Ill get the scoop! Kirk

Kirkwilliams wrote: Fri Jul 08, 2022 4:35 am Tennent might be paying me a visit in NZ this year. Ill get the scoop! Kirk

Ask him to tell the Polyura thane story.