French Pyrenees Sep 21

[dragnil]

After another trip to the mountains I have a couple of butterflies that I'm unsure of. I'm no expert but I'm wondering if the yellow fellow is a Brimstone or some sort of Clouded Yeallow. Of course, if I ask, "Is it A or B?" the answer will be "C"...

The blue(s), I think are Adonis Blue but the left hand one of the pair seems not to fit. Any help and clarification will be gratefully received.

Thanks,

David

[bugboy]

I'm far from experienced with European butterflies but I'm prepared to have a stab and risk having egg on my face.

The yellow fellow looks like a Cleopatra, close relative to the Brimstone. The first blue is a Chalkhill. The left one of the pair looks like a Common Blue, based on the shade of blue, it's friend I'd say is a male Adonis and the final is also an Adonis.

[millerd]

With even less direct experience than Bugboy, I'd go along with his views on these - though considering the freshness of the Chalkhill and the date seen I'd tentatively hazard that this might actually be a Provence Chalkhill Blue (which I think is double brooded).

Shove along a bit, Buggy, and the egg splatter will spread a bit more thinly...

Cheers,

Dave

[Padfield]

I agree with these IDs, favouring chalkhill over Provence chalkhill, though. I say that mostly from its appearance, in terms of colour and markings. For the flight period, I know that in the Alps, very fresh chalkhills appear in September and the species is usually still on the wing in November in Switzerland. I don't visit the Pyrenees at that time of year, so can't speak for the phenology there. Altitude would help: chalkhill flies higher than Provence chakhill. And of course, it is also much commoner in general.

Guy

[dragnil]

Thanks, all. That's really helpful, the PC's off at the moment, Guy, but IIRC the blues were at about 4800ft - hope that helps.
David

[Padfield]

4800 ft is nearly 1500m. All my books say this is too high for Provence chalkhill blue.

For the record, this chalkhill blue was photographed on 2nd November in Switzerland - so wouldn't even have been born yet on 21st September ...



Guy

[Medard]

Newly emerged Chalk-hill Blues (Lysandra coridon) male and female taken at luz ardiden,Hautes-Pyrénées at 1600 m on the 10-09-2014.
At the same location Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

[David M]

...For the record, this chalkhill blue was photographed on 2nd November in Switzerland - so wouldn't even have been born yet on 21st September ...

That's quite some stat, Guy. I never knew they could last that long!