fiendish

Simon C · Post by **Simon C** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:06 am

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what got spooked here by the bug?

I reckon this is a tough one, so probably someone will get it right immediately

Simon

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:09 am

Dark Green Fritillary?

Cheers,

- Pete

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:38 am

I reckon it's a silver washed fritillary. I'm basing my guess on SWF frequenting bramble more than DGF.

Trev Sawyer · Post by **Trev Sawyer** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:34 pm

Assuming that neither of the previous two guesses were right (?), I will go for a small pearl-bordered frit... based on the 4 sweeps of white in the flailing underwings and the angry looking wood ant

Trev

Post by **Padfield** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:18 pm

Mmm... What has antennae coming out of its bottom?

Fantastic shot, Simon. I go for male silver-washed fritillary, mostly on account of the way the markings seem to fade away at the apex of the forewing. But I wouldn't bet even a half of bitter on it...

Guy

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:09 pm

Never noticed antennae Guy, was this a mating pair? Try and go for Dark Green myself. Or High Brown.

Simon C · Post by **Simon C** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:17 am

Well spotted Guy! And well done Dave, for guessing High Brown mating pair.

The first photo below was taken immediately before the original one - I think you can just see the bug (could well be an ant) appearing on the right hand side of the bramble leaves. The second was taken after they had flow to a new spot and settled down again.

I always wince when I see mating butterflies in flight - do butterflies feel pain?

Simon

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:43 pm

Suppose they do feel pain. Must have felt something. Did not think they were dark greens. First I thought bug was a spider, and looked and I think it is a wood ant.