Imperfect Beauty --- Tiger-striped Longwing, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

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Gottshotz

Gottshotz

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042 Tiger-striped Longwing.jpg
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I was intrigued that this damaged butterfly could still fly and function normally --- the wing deformation probably happened very shortly after emergence from its chrysalis, when the wings are still wet and wrinkled. Usually a butterfly hangs upside down, flapping its wings to promote blood flow to straighten and dry them, but if it should fall at this stage it will damage them causing them to become malformed. Likewise, this butterfly may have a defect, such as poor blood circulation to the wings, preventing their opening. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder ! Taken with D750 on a Nikkor micro 105mm plus 1.4 TC (150mm) at f4.5. ISO 4500, 1/1000 sec., handheld.
 
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Oztours said:
Lovely shot. How did this get by without being seen?
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Thanks Peter ---- this forum is so popular and highly supported by many great images, especially as most of us are unable to get out and about to capture new pictures---consequently there are probably more people putting pics on from their back stock on an almost daily basis which wouldn't happen if we wern't trapped to our home localities !
 
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Icarus said:
Lovely butterfly. Think butterflies have very light wing loading because I've seen them with 1/2 wing missing and still flying.
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Thanks Icarus --- I think you are right, they have evolved with excess wing surface area to cope with damage, either natural wear and tear or bird attacks.
 
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