An afternoon at Denbies today to enjoy the Chalkhill Blues which were putting on a marvelous show in the bright cloudy light.
I assumed at the time I was only seeing males (did see a few 'brown' blues flying but male Common Blues were also on the wing and none landed so couldn't get a positive ID on any) but looking at some pics on my computer I have noticed some of the 'males' have a few red scales on the hindwing lunules Does this make them females ab tithonus or something similar? I only have uppersides of these.
First picture is awefully out of focus and only still exists because of the red scales
and one without any red lunules to compare:
Thanks in advance
Chalkhill Blue male or female
Chalkhill Blue male or female
Some addictions are good for the soul!
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Re: Chalkhill Blue male or female
Hi Buggy,
they are all males.
All the best, Nick.
they are all males.
All the best, Nick.
Re: Chalkhill Blue male or female
Thanks Nick, I must admit the abdomens all look very 'male like' which just added to the confusion for me. Do males, often turn up with red scales, not something I've noticed before?
Some addictions are good for the soul!
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Re: Chalkhill Blue male or female
Hi Buggy,
they turn up now and again, but not that common as far as i know. I have personally only seen the orange markings once, but i know other people on this forum have seen them. Photo below.
All the best, Nick.
they turn up now and again, but not that common as far as i know. I have personally only seen the orange markings once, but i know other people on this forum have seen them. Photo below.
All the best, Nick.
Re: Chalkhill Blue male or female
Thanks for the info Nick. There were several other butterflyers on Denbies today, I wonder if anyone else found any?
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Chalkhill Blue male or female
I was not there today, Buggy, but I have seen these males fairly often at Denbies. They are known as ab. suavis.
Dave
Dave