Hello All,
On the recommendation of a bug enthusiast my two young children and I spent a wonderful afternoon on the South Downs at Old Winchester Hill National Nature Reserve on our own bug hunt. Whilst I took my children there to enthuse them about nature I had very little knowledge of the insects we were seeing. Luckily I took my camera and snapped anything that moved for identification later.
Having spent the remainder of the weekend pouring over our UK wildlife books and your great website I am still stumped by the attached 4 butterflies. Help from old hands would be greatly appreciated.
I also have some that I think I have identified correctly but so as not to overload this email I will show them to you for confirmation in a following email or two.
Thanks in advance.
Anthony
Stumped by 4
Stumped by 4
- Attachments
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- Number 4 - A large white but without spots?
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- Number 3
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- Number 2
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- Number 1
Re: Stumped by 4
Hi Antony, and welcome to UKB.
1, Large White, male
2, Meadow Brown
3, ?
4, Common Blue, female.
Denise
Edit, just seen that they are numbered in reverse order so my answers are upside down.
1, Large White, male
2, Meadow Brown
3, ?
4, Common Blue, female.
Denise
Edit, just seen that they are numbered in reverse order so my answers are upside down.
Denise
Re: Stumped by 4
Number 1 surely a male (rather battered) Chalkhill Blue... 
N
N
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."
It's been a long day. -
Lee Hurrell
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Re: Stumped by 4
Number 1 is certainly a rather worn male Chalk Hill Blue. I saw plenty like this on Sunday along with a few fresher looking males.
Number 2.......Small White I think.
Lee
Number 2.......Small White I think.
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: Stumped by 4
Thanks for your help. There were masses of battered and ragged butterflies about - The newly attached I wondered how it could fly (but it did!). The ones I originally posted were in the best condition.
Anthony
Anthony
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Pete Eeles
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Re: Stumped by 4
Just to say I agree with the IDs 
Large White
Meadow Brown
Small White
Chalkhill Blue
Cheers,
- Pete
Large White
Meadow Brown
Small White
Chalkhill Blue
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: Stumped by 4
Is it common for a small white to lose its black tips and spots - or are they just 'hidden' in the photo?
Anthony
Anthony
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Pete Eeles
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Re: Stumped by 4
Oh yes - I've seen individuals that are practically transparent!Anthony wrote:Is it common for a small white to lose its black tips and spots - or are they just 'hidden' in the photo?
Anthony
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: Stumped by 4
Always debatable when a specimen is in such poor condition. I'm a fungi man, and it's like me trying to id a half rotted one, by sight alone...impossible really. I'd hate to have to tell a transparent small white, from a transparent GVW 
Cheers,,, Zonda.
Re: Stumped by 4
Latest is a female Meadow Brown...?
N
N
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."