www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Did I mention that I was writing a book? In researching the Small Tortoiseshell, I came across the following, from Charles Barrett's The Lepidoptera of the British Islands. Has anyone EVER come across anything like this before? My tendency is to treat this as a scam!
Cheers,

- Pete

Hi Pete,

Given that feeding ceases several days before pupation, and that the final ecdysis begins at the head, I also cannot see this as anything other than a fake attempt to produce some kind of freakery, or scam as you say.
I certainly wouldn't entertain it as worthy of inclusion in your forthcoming seminal work.
Regards
Pete

Hi Pete - I agree. Another hoax - right up there with Papilio ecclipsis
Cheers,

- Pete

Another claimed Brimstone 'ab' ...
Certainly not as extreme as Papilio ecclipsis but a hoax nonetheless ...

It would be interesting to know how such a mutated butterfly would feed.