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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.
Evergreen oak and pine tree forest
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/500 sec., f/11, ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired.
Spotted on Jul 11, 2014
Submitted on Oct 14, 2014
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ID changed to Pyronia cecilia