Abberant Common Blue.

[Allan.W.]

At Dungeness today ,around 15-20 Common Blues on the wing ,the first I came across was this one.
Regards Allan.W.

[Allan.W.]

I think its AB; Parvipuncta,

[bugboy]

That's an interesting individual, did you manage to glimpse the upper side as well?

[Allan.W.]

Hello Bugboy ,
The upperside was normal male Common Blue. Of the underwing Blue AB;s I,ve found in the past,i,ve never seen one with abberant topsides as well but I,m sure that they must occur . Regards Allan.W.

[David M]

That's an amazing specimen, Allan. I thought it was a hybrid when I first saw it. Absolutely stunning.

[Allan.W.]

Thanks David, When I first spotted it I thought it was just a very worn individual, but was amazed to find that it was in pretty good Nick, thought i'd post another shot ,showing a bit of the top side. Regards Allan.W.

[David M]

As you say, Allan, the uppersides do not betray the anomalous undersides, yet those undersides really are quite bizarre. I'm used to seeing the spots almost blanked out or very large in comparison to what is normal, but this specimen looks quite 'natural' in the sense that it all seems very much in proportion, albeit unlike any species of lycaenid to be found in the Collins European guide!!

[millerd]

That's a very striking butterfly, Allan - a great find. I hope that this and the numbers of Small Copper abs found down there are nothing to do with the nuclear power station...

Dave

[Allan.W.]

Hello Dave,
Thanks Dave It was a very striking individual ,i seem to be having a real "purple" patch with Blue abs; this season ,and now find myself looking more carefully ,particularly when they,re at rest , but still haven,t found a Chalkhill ab,as for the Dungeness Coppers ,as you know ,there are a lot of variants,although I haven,t seen too many odd ones myself this season (although Hoggers has ) , they really do glow in the sunshine !! that said I,m going to try
an evening visit within the next week or two ,hoping for tree crickets, I,ll let you know if I find any Coppers that are glowing in the dark !!
Regards Allan.W.