Scotch Argus
Scotch Argus
This was my first Scotch Argus, seen at Arnside Knott yesterday. I was underwhelmed with a butterfly I was looking forward to seeing. I was particularly surprised by the uniform underwing, with just a faint suggestion of the patterning I was hoping to see. Is it simply a warn individual accounting for this? I saw about five in the short time I was able to be on site, but none seemed to show a text book underwing.
- Vince Massimo
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 1855
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
Re: Scotch Argus
Lawts, I think you were definately unlucky if all the individuals you saw looked like that. That is not a typical underwing for this species on this site and I assume that all the ones you encountered must have been older specimens. They do seem to get very worn very quickly - probably something to do with them diving in and out of vegetetion all the time. I was there on 28th July, which was just over a week after they began to emerge, and they were looking glorious. I don't know how close you are to the site, but another visit may be worthwhile after a spell of sunny weather, as this may well promote a flush of new hatchings. Here are a couple of typical views taken on my visit.
Vince
Vince
Re: Scotch Argus
Thanks Vince.
The upperwing looked like the one in your shot. It was just the worn underwing that surprised me.
Steve.
The upperwing looked like the one in your shot. It was just the worn underwing that surprised me.
Steve.