Strange Erebia...

[David M]

Taken a few days ago in the French Alps, at first glance this looks like Blind Ringlet, but it was larger and I believe is probably an aberrant Almond-Eyed Ringlet (which was the commonest Erebia during the week).

Has anyone ever seen such an aberration in alberganus before?

[Jack Harrison]

Probably ab "le Pen"

Jack

[David M]

Probably ab "le Pen"

It's quite extreme, so I take your point, Jack.

[Padfield]

It's certainly a very strange butterfly! Using a process of elimination, I find myself left with nothing - which can't be right, as it is clearly something. No, I've never seen alberganus without pupils, and overall it doesn't really look like alberganus. The wing shape is good, though, and the orange spots are approximately right, even if not the normal shape. I don't like it for pharte, as the forewing band is just too irregular (and there are hints of spots on the hindwing) and the wing shape is wrong. Very provisionally, I agree with you that an aberrant alberganus is the most likely, but I've got this feeling someone else is going to point out something obvious and we'll all feel stupid!

Guy

[David M]

Thanks, Guy. Yes, the spots on the hindwing would be irregular for pharte and in any case, there was no sign of this species in the usual meadow I look for them at, meaning that this (as well as the size of the butterfly) points towards an aberrant of a different species, and one that which was already on the wing, which alberganus was.

[Jack Harrison]

Forgive my ignorance of Latin but how do you pronounce 'pharte' politely?

Jack

[Padfield]

Forgive my ignorance of Latin but how do you pronounce 'pharte' politely?

Jack

In Switzerland, fart is something you put on your skis to make them go faster (verb: farter).

Guy

[petesmith]

Apart from the absence of pupils, the orange spots on this for me are pretty much bang on in size, shape and position for alberganus - I really can't see it as anything else than an aberrant form of Almond-eyed.

[David M]

Thanks, Pete. I'm no longer seeing an alternative myself now.