Aberrant Marsh Fritillary?

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:32 pm

Visiting Hod Hill today, I spied a much darker individual than usual. With the wind blowing and the sunshine intermittent, it allowed itself to be photographed.

Is this another example of a melanic aberration? It does look rather unusual, and even the underside looks a bit different.

Dave

Trev Sawyer · Post by **Trev Sawyer** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:04 pm

Wooooowwwww!

That's a cracker Dave!

Trev

Post by **Padfield** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:03 pm

Amazing butterfly! Most definitely melanic!!

Guy

David M · Post by **David M** » Sun May 01, 2011 8:51 am

That's a stunner. I wonder whether the bizarre spring weather may throw up a few more Marsh Fritillary abs over the coming weeks?

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Sun May 01, 2011 5:53 pm

David M wrote:I wonder whether the bizarre spring weather may throw up a few more Marsh Fritillary abs over the coming weeks?

Some chillier nights are forecast this week, so who knows?

I count myself very lucky to have found this one, though. As always, photos just don't do it justice.

Dave

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:42 pm

The MF season must be pretty well done now. Bearing in mind the higher-than-usual incidence of aberrations in other species this spring, did anyone spot any other non-standard Marsh Fritillaries anywhere?

This one may have been a one-off I suppose. I wonder if it has a name?

Dave

Michaeljf · Post by **Michaeljf** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:43 pm

There was this one I photographed in windy conditions in Aberbargoed Grasslands on the 22nd May. Not as exciting as yours though!

I've never had time to visit again when they were at their peak, unfortunately.

Michael

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:14 pm

Michaeljf wrote:Not as exciting as yours though!

Michael

I wouldn't say that - it looks distinctly odd to me!

Dave

Piers · Post by **Piers** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:23 pm

Ab. virgata, Michael.

Piers.

Michaeljf · Post by **Michaeljf** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:43 pm

Bless you, Piers

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:54 pm

Nice, both look interesting. Never seen such a dark Marsh fritillary before. If yours Dave was photographed in Europe, I may have mistaken that for some other fritillary.

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:06 pm

I haven't been able to find a picture anywhere of anything like it - but I believe melanic specimens pop up in most fritillaries and this is just more extreme than some.

Dave

Post by **Vince Massimo** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:41 am

millerd wrote:I haven't been able to find a picture anywhere of anything like it.
Dave

I have

, but I'm sure it's the same individual . Taken at Hod Hill 5 days later on 4th May.

: Aberrant Marsh Fritillary 4-May-11

It's a very poor photo, but the only one I got. I also saw a very pale-coloured individual which was very fresh, but alas no photo.

Vince.

Dave: Is there any chance I could have high resolution copies of your 3 photos for my own records?

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:41 pm

Looks like the same chap to me! I'm glad no one chose to eat him for a while.

I've sent you a PM, Vince.

Dave

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