Small Pearl Bordered Fritiliary with blue spots?

[wildwalker3]

Hello, I am no expert on butterflies. I took these pictures today at Warton Crag.
Unfortunately I do not have a picture of the upper side. I believe this is a small pearl bordered but found the blue pearls confusing.
Any help greatly appreciated

[Wurzel]

You're really close with the ID - it's a Pearl-bordered Fritillary I reckon the blue spots are paint and have been put on as part of a capture/release study. Great set of shots

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[wildwalker3]

Thank you that is great feedback, I learn something everyday

[David M]

Those blue marks suggest some kind of 'mark and release' exercise to me, Wildwalker. Definitely not a natural occurrence.

[Steve Kirtley]

The Pearl Bordered Fritillaries at Warton are being studied by Andy Wilby together with students from Lancaster University. As mentioned previously, the blue dots are due to a mark & recapture study there.
I was there on 5th May & Andy & a student were busy marking the butterflies then.
There is some more information here:-
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/about-u ... utterflies