Every so often we enter a clouded yellow year. In this respect 2009 turned out to be wonderfully clouded, what delight! The Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) is a vibrant yellow and accomplished migratory butterfly. It is one of the most widespread butterflies in Europe and it is quite common in the northern parts of Africa through southern and eastern parts of Europe. Being a very able flier it can migrate thousands of kilometers in summertime, so it can be found in the more northern parts of Europe also, in scarce numbers. In good years it has been seen as far north as the northern Scotland and the Faroe Islands. Usually extremely rare in Denmark, some years not present at all, a small invasion hit us this summer, though it was nothing compared to tales of yonder where huge saffron yellow swarms blocked the sun from the sky or covered cliffs:
“While sitting on a cliff near Marazion in Cornwall, he perceived out at sea a yellow patch which, as it came nearer was seen to be a swarm og Clouded Yellows making for the land, flying low over the water and rising and falling over the crest of each wave, The cliffs were soon covered with them, and they stayed in the neighbourhood for several weeks.” - from Vere Temple
I was lucky myself to find a few fields of Lucerne with visiting Clouded Yellows. The individual above was photographed on a 70 ha field, energetically and determined cruising just above the flowers, dropping down here and there to lay a few eggs.
In their all year homes the Clouded Yellow can be found in all sorts of habitats, the most decisive factor seems to be Read the rest of this entry »
