Ever wondered why my username is "CatocalaFraxini"? Well; that's a Catocala Fraxini! The latin name for a Clifden Nonpareil (or "blått ordensbånd" in Norwegian) - a huge nocturnal butterfly (alright.. moth.. I think nocturnal butterfly sounds better..) with a wingspan from 75-100 mm. According to UKmoths.org, it is the Victorian collector's classic all-time favourite, and only a handful are recorded per year. (oooh, I feel ssspechul.. )

It's not very common here in Norway either, but I was lucky to find one It's the ultimate pride in my butterfly collection. And before you start attacking me with "evil you" and "butterfly-murderer", read this:

I only collected butterflies for a 6-months (actually more..) project in biology at school. Butterflies live only one season (some two, by sleeping during winter in attics and such), so they would've died anyway by much harders ways than just letting them fall asleep in a jar - for example; hunger, cold weather, bad weather (rain), predators, children... yes, children.. evil mini-humans.. stepping on them, pulling off their wings.. grrr!
Aaaand, I have now gone over to taking pictures of these beautiful creatures! So there!

Picture of the butterfly by me! So..uhm.. ©Malene

Lol!

Hope you like!