Two Tailed Pacha, Southern France

Back in September, exploring the banks of Le Gardon de Mialet near Ales France, my wife spotted this large beautiful and exotic butterfly resting in the shade. At the time I had no idea what we had seen. A bit of lucky google research tells me it was a Two Tailed Pacha.

The colours of the underwings!!

It was very docile and allowed us to pick it up and move it into the sun, where it opened up its wings for a few seconds before flying back to the bushes, giving me a chance to get the open wing photo.
Not a great shot, but at least it gives an idea of the contrast between the top and underside of the wings

Insects of Le Defile de L'Argensol, Languedoc-Roussilon, France

Back to the Southern France visit in September. A gorge between steep limestone valley sides and cliffs. In this dry season clear water pools remained with trickles of water disappearing into the dry stony riverbed.

Hidden on the dry river bed was a camouflaged butterfly...
...and amongst the vegetation was a praying Mantis...

...Returning to the dry riverbed we picked up a delicately marked grasshopper that would have been well camouflaged sitting next to the butterfly above.