Croatia (Istrian Peninsular) Small Whites

[Stevieb]

Could anybody please confirm if any of these Small Whites are Pieris mannii?

Also I think the Skipper is Southern Grizzled Skipper could anyone confirm this too?

Many thanks in advance

Steve

[selbypaul]

I'd say that looks good for Southern Small White, I think

[David M]

I reckon that's malvae, Steve. No line of small, white submarginal spots that you see in Spialia.

[Stevieb]

I'd say that looks good for Southern Small White, I think

Thanks for your prompt reply Paul

I reckon that's malvae, Steve. No line of small, white submarginal spots that you see in Spialia.

Thank you David. According to the Butterflies of Croatia site Grizzled Skipper is absent from the Istria Peninsular and Southern only found on the Peninsular

https://butterfliesofcroatia.com/pyrgus-malvae/

https://butterfliesofcroatia.com/pyrgus-malvoides/

I will have to delve deeper!

Steve

[Padfield]

I think David misread your post, thinking you meant a Spialia species. I think your skipper is indeed southern grizzled, Pyrgus malvoides.

As for the whites, I think they probably are manii, though I find it interesting how different they are from my local mannii. It's also interesting that the underside shot(s) show a hint of the fork in v.7, which in my part of the world pretty much rules out mannii. This feature has been called into question in the last few years and it may be that it is not universally applicable.

Guy

[Stevieb]

I think David misread your post, thinking you meant a Spialia species. I think your skipper is indeed southern grizzled, Pyrgus malvoides.

As for the whites, I think they probably are manii, though I find it interesting how different they are from my local mannii. It's also interesting that the underside shot(s) show a hint of the fork in v.7, which in my part of the world pretty much rules out mannii. This feature has been called into question in the last few years and it may be that it is not universally applicable.

Guy

Many thanks for your input Guy, much appreciated

Steve

[David M]

...Thank you David. According to the Butterflies of Croatia site Grizzled Skipper is absent from the Istria Peninsular and Southern only found on the Peninsular..

No worries, Steve. I haven't a clue where the Maginot line is in eastern Europe.