abs from the archive

[sifenn]

Posting on an ab Small Tortoiseshell I saw a couple of days ago in Worcestershire reminded me of a couple of probable aberrant fritillaries seen on European trips in the last few years that I never got around to posting. I was supposed to be off to the Picos in N Spain next week, so consoling myself looking through the archives , and doing English day trips instead ;

a trip to Swiss Alps presented me with this Pearl Bordered Fritillary at the Simplon Pass (underwing ID checked out) - not sure if this is within normal variation or the dark forewing markings constitute an ab

while a trip to the splendid Farm Lator in NE Hungary turned up this charred and tatty looking specimen that I assume is a Silver-washed (didn't hang around for any attempt at underwing ID)

[Padfield]

Hi Sifenn. Your pearl-bordered fritillary is within the range of what you might call 'normal' variation in Switzerland. Boloria species in general commonly show conjoined spots or more extensive melanism, especially at altitude, and the variety of different patterns makes it unhelpful to name most forms. Your silver-washed fritillary, on the other hand, is a striking example of ab nigricans. The following picture comes from http://www.britishbutterflyaberrations. ... berrations.



I'm so happy people photograph aberrations now instead of killing and pinning them ...

Guy