xYz - Quantum Poet

Polymath, poet, artist, seer - shining the light into the darkness of The Mystery.

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Meadow Brown butterfly (Maniola jurtina) underwing Lepidoptera Zen Giclée print 5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA ZEN range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all. Widespread and common throughout Britain and Ireland. Eyespots have single white pupils unlike Gatekeeper which has two and is smaller and more orange with row of tiny white dots on hind underwings. The Meadow Brown is the most abundant butterfly species in many habitats. Hundreds may be seen together at some sites, flying low over the vegetation. Adults fly even in dull weather when most other butterflies are inactive. Regional variations in the spotting pattern on the wings have led to it being studied extensively by geneticists over many years. Larger forms occur in Ireland and the north of Scotland. It is one of our most widespread species, but many colonies have been lost due to agricultural intensification. Each hexagonal designs in this ongoing series is based on macro images of Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) wings, and represents many hours of painstaking and patient work. I have no real idea of how the piece will look until I have slotted the final segment into place - and that is when all those hours of work turn into the magical ‘Tah-dah’ moment. The images above are only low-resolution renditions of the full sized work, which is incredibly detailed. The wings of butterflies and moths are covered with microscopic, partially overlapping scales. Iridescent scales are quite complex, consisting of regular arrangements of thin, transparent, chitinous layers. Altogether, these form an array of reflecting surfaces similar to that found in an opal.

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Lappet Moth (Gastropacha quercifolia) upperwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to http://butterfly-conservation.org, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

This large moth species can be seen from late June to mid-August in Britain. It is easily identified by the protruding snout and unusual resting wing posture where the hind wings protruding in front of the forewings.  It is a distinctive moth, with a scalloped wing edge and orange-brown colouration that resembles a cluster of dried oak leaves when at rest.  There is little variation in the colouration except for rare pale or black forms.  The adults are incapable of feeding. They fly at night and are attracted to light in small numbers. The caterpillars can be found from August to late the following May, feeding at night and overwintering a small larvae. They pupate in a tough cocoon on the ground.

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Freyer's Purple Emperor (Apatura metis) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The Freyer's Purple Emperor, is a species of butterfly found in Eurasia.  It has dark wings with reddish and yellow bands. The wings of the male are bluish purple if seen from the right angle.  It usually inhabits forests and is often found nearby rivers and streams. The female spends the majority of her life in the foliage. The largest habitat of the animal is the Gemenc forest in southern Hungary.  Although it is one of the rarest animals in Europe, it can be seen in large quantities there.  In Europe, Freyer's Purple Emperor usually has one, sometimes two generations, the first in May and June, the second in July and August. The caterpillars feed on willow species.  Freyer's Purple Emperor is  protected in Europe.

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Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The aptly named Speckled Wood flies in partially shaded woodland with dappled sunlight. The male usually perches in a small pool of sunlight, from where it rises rapidly to intercept any intruder. Both sexes feed on honeydew in the tree tops and are rarely seen feeding on flowers, except early and late in the year when aphid activity is low.  The range of this butterfly contracted during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but has spread back since the 1920s. It has continued to spread over the past two decades, recolonising many areas in eastern and northern England and Scotland.

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Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA ZEN range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The Large Heath is restricted to wet boggy habitats in northern Britain, Ireland, and a few isolated sites in Wales and central England.  The adults always sit with their wings closed and can fly even in quite dull weather provided the air temperature is higher than  14 ° C.  The size of the underwing spots varies across its range; a heavily spotted form (davus) is found in lowland England, a virtually spotless race (scotica) in northern Scotland, and a range of intermediate races elsewhere (referred to aspolydama).  The butterfly has declined seriously in England and Wales, but is still widespread in parts of Ireland and Scotland.

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High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

This large, powerful butterfly is usually seen flying swiftly over the tops of bracken or low vegetation in woodland clearings. In flight, the males are almost impossible to separate from those of the Dark Green Fritillary, which often share the same habitats. However, both species frequently visit flowers such as thistles and Bramble where it is possible to see their distinctive underside wing markings. The Dark Green lacks the orange ringed 'pearls' on the underside of the hindwing.  The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction.

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Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The Clouded Yellow is one of the truly migratory European butterflies and a regular visitor to Britain and Ireland. Although some of these golden-yellow butterflies are seen every year, the species is famous for occasional mass immigrations and subsequent breeding, which are fondly and long remembered as ''Clouded Yellow Years''.  Underwings are greenish yellow with two silver-white spots.  Always rests with wings closed. Upperwings are deep orange-yellow with broad dark wing margins.

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Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) upperwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The Buff Arches is a very pretty moth with a flint-like appearance. The wings are a combination of smooth grey and white with orange-brown arches. They are active from dusk are frequently attracted to light.  The larvae which are a reddish-brown with two or four cream coloured spots.  This moth can be seen from July to mid-October.  It is common in Wales and England as far north as Cumbria and North Yorkshire but very rare in Scotland.

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Scorched Wing (Habrosyne pyritoides) upperwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The English name of this species is derived from the moth's resemblance to burnt paper or similar substance.  It is widely distributed in England and Wales, sometimes fairly commonly, and also occurs though less commonly, in Scotland and Ireland.  Inhabiting woodland, the larvae feed on a range of deciduous trees, including oak (Quercus), birch (Betula) and sallow (Salix).  The main flight period is May and June. The adults are attracted to sugar, but only usually the males to light.

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Blood-vein (Timandra comae) upperwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The Blood-vein moth has buff-coloured wings with a distinctive pink or brownish-red line across the fore and hind wings. When at rest the wings are held flat so that these markings form a virtually straight line between the forewing tips. The fringes are also a bright pink colour.  They can be seen during the day around low vegetation. They overwinter as larvae which can be seen in July and from September to the following April. They pupate near the ground among plant debris. Two generations breed from May to July and August to September. They are common to England and Wales, but less frequent in Scotland and Ireland.

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Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus) Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

Males have beautiful, brilliant sky-blue wings, while the females are brown. A characteristic butterfly of unimproved chalk downland in southern England.  This beautiful butterfly is one of the most characteristic species of southern chalk downland, where it flies low over shortly grazed turf.  The males have brilliant sky-blue wings, while the females are brown and far less conspicuous. Both sexes have distinctive black lines that enter or cross the white fringes to the wings. Despite its restricted distribution, the butterfly can be seen in many hundreds on good sites.  It has undergone a major decline through its entire range, but has recently re-expanded in some regions.

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Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

The Black Hairstreak is one of our rarest and most elusive butterflies.  It is found only in thickets of Blackthorn in woodlands on heavy clay soils between Oxford and Peterborough in the East Midlands of England. Underwings are brown with red edges, a row of black spots, a white streak, and small tails. Upperwings are brown with red edges. The adults spend nearly all their time in the canopies of trees of dense scrub where they feed on honeydew secreted by aphids. At certain times they make short looping flights in and out of the tree tops with a peak of activity around midday. The Black Hairstreak declined steadily during the twentieth century and is now reduced to around 50 sites.

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Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) upperwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

http://etsy.me/2pLtvuR © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

A widespread butterfly often found in parks and gardens.  Wings are bright blue. Females have black wing edges. Undersides pale blue with small black spots which distinguish them from Common Blue.  The Holly Blue is easily identified in early spring, as it emerges well before other blue butterflies. It tends to fly high around bushes and trees, whereas other grassland blues usually stay near ground level. It is much the commonest blue found in parks and gardens where it congregates around Holly (in spring) and Ivy (in late summer).  The Holly Blue is widespread, but undergoes large fluctuations in numbers from year to year. It has expanded northwards in recent years and has colonised parts of midland and northern England.

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Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print

http://etsy.me/2oVfxSb © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

This small, fast-flying butterfly, with beautiful gold and brown checked wings,  is now restricted to damp grassy habitats in western Scotland. Males are seen more frequently than females, perching in sheltered positions either next to wood edges or amongst light scrub or bracken. They dart out to investigate passing objects, defending their territory against other males and other butterfly species, or in the hope of locating a potential mate. Females are less conspicuous and fly low among grasses when egg-laying.  The Chequered Skipper died out from England in 1976 and re-establishment trials have taken place since 1990. In Scotland, there are thought to be about ten core areas and there have been no obvious recent changes in range.

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Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) upperwing IV

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all. 

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Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) upperwing II

© Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all. 

[xyzquantumpoet]

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXES range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.  http://butterfly-conservation.org