Parnassius apollo – Apollo – Apolo is a mountain species of butterfly that typically inhabits hills and flowery alpine meadows in continental European mountains, including Spain. This species requires specific climatic conditions, such as cold winters and sunny summers. It also prefers wide open spaces with less than 5% shrub cover and ample meadow surfaces of at least 50%. The presence of host plants for caterpillars is also crucial for its survival.
Mantis in Iberia
Mantis in Iberia are carnivorous insects that rest on plants while they await their prey. The size, colour and shape can vary greatly between species through their virtually world wide distribution, which consists of more than 1800 species. The green, brown or grey body colouring that we see in these European species allows them to … Read more
Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species
Mantises, commonly known as “Praying Mantises,” are fascinating insects that can be found in various regions of Spain. Some of the more common species, such as the Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), European Dwarf Mantis (Ameles spallanzania), African Mantis (Sphodromantis viridis), and Conehead Mantis (Empusa pennata), are often encountered in the country. However, Spain is also home to several rarer species of mantis. These include unique species such as the Geomantis larvoides, Rivetina baetica, Pseudoyersinia canariensis, Blepharopsis mendica, Pseudoyersinia paui and Perlamantis alliberti, which are less commonly observed but are nonetheless intriguing and worthy of study. In this article, we will delve into these rarer mantis species found in Spain and explore their characteristics, distributions, and habitats. So, Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species.
Western Dappled White – Euchloe crameri – Blanca Meridional
The Western Dappled White – Euchloe crameri – Blanca Meridional is a very active butterfly, although not as strong a flier as the Bath White (Pontia daplidice). The mostly white upper wings have black markings at the tips and behind that a bold black mark. The under wing has a dappled pattern of dark green … Read more