Evolution in Action

[Rogerdodge]

Whilst in France earlier this year, one particular Spotted Fritillary proved particularly elusive when I attempted to photograph it.
I think it has evolved a unique mechanism to evade intrusive photographers.

[David M]

LOL! You got a surfeit of time on your hands at the mo'?

[Michaeljf]

It's funny how long I had to look at the photograph to see this new stage of 'evolution' I must be getting old.

Great picture, though perhaps not one for uploading to the front of the UKB website!

Michael

[ChrisC]

very good

[Susie]

I didn't know butterflies could be bi-lingual! So clever.

[Matsukaze]

Any thoughts on how this aberration should be named?

[Padfield]

Melitaea didyma ab. touretti?

Guy

[David M]

Melitaea didyma ab. touretti?

Guy

Only you could come up with that!

[Gibster]

The worst of it is that if such a butterfly DID exist, your camera would be indoors, your phone would be flat and nobody would ever believe you anyway

[Lee Hurrell]

Brilliant!

Lee

[Rogerdodge]

Guy
I found one very similar in the Cockayne database-
Melitaea didyma ab. dietrichii
What do you think?

[MikeOxon]

Utterly brilliant - and so is Padfield's naming!

One would think that such a mutation would provide such a huge evolutionary advantage that it should have become commonplace. Perhaps Susie has put her finger on the reason why it has not.

I wonder which genetic engineering company is working on how to put advertisements there?

Mike

[Jack Harrison]

ab. touretti?

I once found it to be the dominant form on the top deck of of a bus in one of our large Scottish cities, the normal form being totally absent.

Jack

[Rogerdodge]

I wonder which genetic engineering company is working on how to put advertisements there?

Mike
I think it has been done.
Here is the aptly named Red Ad.
Vanessa atalanta ab. olympia

[David M]

Like it. Keep 'em coming!