Helice, Pale or Bergers

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Devon Dave
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Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:49 pm

Helice, Pale or Bergers

Post by Devon Dave »

Superb warm sunny day down in Devon today, and some nice butterflies about still.Several fresh looking Clouded Yellows on my walk in local meadows but also noticed what at first I thought to be a Small white. But each time it landed it had wings closed and its flight very laboured compared with a small white. My first photo was of it briefly settling on the ground (First Photo) But then on closer examination when it did eventual settle for a while to nectar, realised it was a Clouded Yellow of a very white in flight form.
I cant decide if its a Helice, Pale, or Bergers form, and expert help welcome so I can determine which.I took several photos whilst it was in flight to try and help identification, but due to its motion they are a little blurred and heavily cropped to see its open wing markings. Any comments welcome.
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Padfield
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Re: Helice, Pale or Bergers

Post by Padfield »

Hi Dave. This is helice. The complete enclosure of the pale submarginal spots in the dark border is definitive. The jizz is also all helice.

Guy
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
Devon Dave
Posts: 113
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:49 pm

Re: Helice, Pale or Bergers

Post by Devon Dave »

Many thanks indeed for that confirmation Guy, new one for me
Dave.
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