Is this a small or Essex skipper, please?

Pauline wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 7:58 pm Fabulous underside shot Ian. You've certainly done justice to that gorgeous butterfly

Thank you.

Small tortoiseshells have been very abundant on the Isle of Wight, and a good number of white admirals too in local woods. However, very poor generally for butterflies and dragonflies.

All seen today on the Isle of WIght. Painted lady, peacock,red admiral,silver-washed fritillary, small tortoiseshell, silver-washed fritillary form valezina, and white admiral. The valezina was very tame and almost sat on my hand.

I saw this damaged small tortoiseshell today. Is it an aberration as the stripes on the forewing are white instead of fawn?

I saw my first two silver-washed fritillaries and my first large skipper today on the Isle of Wight. Generally-speaking there have been very few butterflies about. Only one was seen by me at each of RBG Kew abd RHS Wisley which I visited last week and where there are plenty of flowers. How are other...

Charles Nicol wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 10:09 pm is it sitting on a snake ?

I think it is a hosepipe!

Neil Freeman wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 7:58 am Hi Ian.

Your first photo is a moth, possibly a Yellow shell.

Your second photo is a Pale Tussock Moth.

Cheers,

Neil.

Many thanks.

I attach a photo from a friend in France. Can anyone please identify it? Also a UK moth.

Many different species yesterday at Mottistone Down including grizzled and dingy skippers, Glanville fritillaries, wall, brown argus, common and Adonis blues, speckled wood, small heath, painted lady, cinnabar moth, and green hairstreak. Photos at www.flickr.com/photos/lepreskil

Lawts wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 3:17 pm

Ian Pratt wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 4:11 pm Glanville fritillaries seen today on the Isle of Wight.

Lovely clear shots. Was this Ventnor?

Nearby. Bonchurch.

This is the vegetation where the butterflies are found.

I was fortunate to find this butterfly feeding on valerian and showing its underside too.

Otep wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 8:15 pm

Ian Pratt wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 4:11 pm Glanville fritillaries seen today on the Isle of Wight.

Those are a wonderful set of photos Ian. They look so pristine.

Thanks so much. They are very fresh at the moment but not as many as in previous years.

Glanville fritillaries seen today on the Isle of Wight.

Is this a lesser marbled fritillary or something else, please?

Thart is what I thought but I was not sure. Thanks.

I saw this during the week near Amsterdam. Can anyone identify it for me? Apologies for the poor photo.

Wall seen today at Havenstreet Isle of Wight. Is this a male or female as I am not sure if I can make out any scent glands?

My earliest small heath in over 20 years on the Isle of Wight and one of my earliest green hairstreaks both seen yesterday.