Pearl-bordered or Small Pearl-bordered?

[David Tipping]

Thought I had this fritillary identification business sorted but now I'm not so sure. I've looked at the distinguishing features in the species pages but am still undecided. The butterfly was photographed in the Fort William area last week.

[Pete Eeles]

Small Pearl-bordered I'd say.

Cheers,

- Pete

[lee3764]

Definately Small Pearl as I have seen them in Glen Loy just north of Fort William many times as this is the Scottish subspecies 'insularum'.
Hope this helps!!
Cheers,
Lee (Cornwall).

[LauraS56]

Small Pearl-bordered. Look at the left forewing. At the top it has the number 730. All Small Pearls are number 730!

[Goldie M]

Took me awhile but I found it Laura, thats a great way to Identify the SPBF. Have you any more for the PB or the DGF or HBF
, I struggle with them no end Goldie

[Neil Freeman]

Another way of telling SPBF from PBF is to look at the row of triangle markings on the edge of the forewings and the spots inboard of them.

The SPBF have the triangles linked, or almost so, and the spots are nearer to the edge whereas with the PBF the triangles are more 'floating' and the row of spots lies more centrally in the wing.

The photos below show what I am trying to say.

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary forewing

Pearl Bordered Fritillary Forewing

cheers,

Neil F.

[Goldie M]

Thanks Neil, I've been told of floating triangles before but was'nt too sure what it meant.Goldie

[Pawpawsaurus]

I've been told of floating triangles before but was'nt too sure what it meant.

The floating chevrons and other differences are described and illustrated in the 'Similar Species' section of the (S)P-bF species pages (e.g. here), which have existed for as long as I can remember.

Paul

[David Tipping]

Thanks for the comments everybody. I did look at the chevrons but couldn't quite decide if they were fixed or loose, if that makes sense!