Chalkhill/Adonis female IDs

[millerd]

In chalkhill, these are typically bordered internally with a relatively well defined black crescent. Guy

I've noticed that this crescent is visible in both these individuals...

Dave

[Pete Eeles]

Look like Chalkhill to me, and that first pic is stunning. And what about Jim Asher's "Chalkhill" from the 14th August at

http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/b ... tings.html (pic at http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/P ... JAsher.jpg)?

Sure looks like classic Adonis to me!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

That's an intersting individual, millerd. It ticks many of the boxes for chalkhill.

you mean adonis surely...

No, I meant chalkhill. It ticks many chalkhill boxes, even though it is Adonis, which is why millerd posted it. To me, only the features I mentioned give the game away - and both are things that contribute to 'jizz' (I know you hate that word, Piers! ).

Guy

[millerd]

And what about Jim Asher's "Chalkhill" from the 14th August at

http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/b ... tings.html (pic at http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/P ... JAsher.jpg)?

Sure looks like classic Adonis to me!

Cheers,

- Pete

The nearest Adonis site to Aston Upthorpe is mentioned in the next post down on the Upper Thames sightings - Moulsford Down, where a female was reported on the same day. No more than a couple of miles away. So this one might well have been Adonis...

[millerd]

Finally, before we do the subject to death, shots of two butterflies in very similar poses, with about the same wear. Taken at Denbies on 30th August last year. One of each, I reckon.

Dave

[Piers]

Look like Chalkhill to me, and that first pic is stunning. And what about Jim Asher's "Chalkhill" from the 14th August at

http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/b ... tings.html (pic at http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/P ... JAsher.jpg)?

That photograph is an adonis. I am certain that the differentiation between the two species is made far more difficult than it need be.

Attempting to 'tick boxes' regarding the minutia of individual features which are themselves subject to considerable variation from one individual to the next is bound to lead to confusion when all you end up with are a list of tiny features half of which point to one species and half of which point to another.

If you look at the insect as a whole, the two species aren't actually that alike, but once you start attempting to drill down to nuances at wing-scale level...

Piers.

[Lee Hurrell]

I'm with the consensus (sorry Lee!). My immediate reaction was that they were all chalkhill blues, but I hadn't the heart to say so, especially after Lee's enthusiastic response!

Even after browsing through them more carefully I can't find anything to make me change that first impression.

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut.... Sorry Celery.

I'm just not used to seeing Chalkhill females with any mid-wing blue I guess, but will go back to my own photos and check again.

And I think Piers has summed it up nicely with regard to looking for certain features that may, or may not be there with variable species.

Cheers

Lee

[celery]

No apologies required Lee - my lack of success in snapping a genuine adonis female gives me the perfect excuse for another excursion.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all the contributions on the thread - and learned a lot too - thanks to all , celery

...and I did see plenty of other good stuff ...


(aberrant) adonis blue (male ) and silver-spotted skipper

[Lee Hurrell]

No apologies required Lee - my lack of success in snapping a genuine adonis female gives me the perfect excuse for another excursion.

Yes, there is that!

Never an excuse needed though

Best wishes,

Lee

[MikeOxon]

The nearest Adonis site to Aston Upthorpe is mentioned in the next post down

I can confirm that my son had a positive sighting of a male Adonis Blue at Aston Upthorpe (Juniper Valley) in 2010. At the time we suspected it had probably come from one of the established colonies just a little further East.

Mike

[MikeOxon]

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut

Not at all, Lee. You opened up an interesting discussion, which I personally found very helpful.

I agree with Piers' comment - single features on their own can be misleading. We are very fortunate to have many contributors to this forum with both the experience and willingness to help the rest of us.

Mike

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks Mike, that's good then

I agree on the expertise and willingness to share it on this forum, it really is what makes it as good as it is.

Cheers

Lee