Dark Dark Green Fritillary

[Rivoldini]

I photographed this one yesterday in County Durham. It has an excess of black on it and I wonder whether it is a named aberration. I have not found similar on the web site.

Guidance would be appreciated,

Thank you

Ron

[Kip]

ab. nigrans??.... http://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/b ... xonID=8955

[millerd]

Hi Ron,

Most fritillaries seem to produce examples like yours from time to time where there is an excess of dark scales. The amount varies a great deal between individuals so that some can be almost all dark. Because of this wide variety it can be difficult to name specific forms. The overall condition is known as melanism, and I believe it is caused by unusual temperature variations while the butterfly is in the pupal stage.

I'm sure others here may have more expert knowledge and may correct some of my layman's understanding of this condition!

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

That's a cracking specimen. I see melanistic High Browns fairly regularly at the Welsh site, but very few Dark Green aberrations turn up there by comparison.

[Rivoldini]

OK Gentlemen. Thanks very much for the input. I thought it was a bit unusual.

Look after yourselves,

Ron

[Rivoldini]

OK Gentlemen. Thanks very much for the input. I thought it was a bit unusual.

Look after yourselves,

Ron