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Project Noah Nature School
Pyronia cecilia
The Southern Gatekeeper, like many Satyrinae, exhibit sexual dimorphism. The male is smaller than the female, the front wing of the male is 15/16mm whereas a female front wing is 20mm, and has patch of scent-producing scales known as the androconia, which can be seen as a dark patch on the upper side of the forewing. It is similar in appearance to the Gatekeeper (P. tithonus), which is found further north, and the Spanish Gatekeeper (P. bathsheba). The Gatekeeper has spots on the underside of the hind wind which the Southern Gatekeeper lacks. The Spanish Gatekeeper has quite a different underwing pattern with a prominent while line.
Northern Africa and southern Europe. It is usually found in rough, open areas in lowland regions although in some areas it occurs up to 2000m. Spotted at a open Holm oak forest
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/400 sec. f/10 ISO Speed Rating: 400. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.
Spotted on Jul 9, 2012
Submitted on Jul 24, 2012
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