www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Whilst out on the dune site at Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea today, amongst the many Orange Tips was this odd-looking specimen which had both a translucent look to the apical area of the forewings as well as washed out coloration.

At first I thought it had perhaps come into contact with some liquid, but the translucent area doesn't cover the entire 'orange' area, and what colour there is is abnormally pale.

I should point out that this male was constantly harassed by other males, who one supposes mistook him for a female.

Any comments welcome:

Oooh - VERY nice find, David! And definitely an aberration. I've given up trying to come up with a name! There are a few that might fit the bill: https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/aberrat ... cardamines

Cheers,

- Pete

Yes, Pete, I took a look at the list. None of those with images matched but the description given under ab. transvestita was probably closest.

Certainly the 'normal' males thought this was a female. They wouldn't give up but unlike a real female which would bend her abdomen upwards and attempt to get away, this ab. was determined to carry on nectaring regardless!

David M wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 3:24 pm ab. transvestita

I thought you'd made that name up - but no, it's really there.

Cheers,

- Pete

What a great find David ! ……………….Never seen anything remotely like that ...……..brilliant !!
Regards Allan.W.

The closest I can see is (for me anyway !) Ab; Aureoflavescans . Allan.W.

Very special - I've never seen anything like it. It does seem to fit the description of transvestita better than aureoflavescens, because of the greyish tone rather than clear yellow. Either way, a remarkable find. And unlike the entomologists of old, you let it live to enjoy its life, rather than pouncing, killing and pinning!

Guy

Padfield wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 6:01 pm Very special - I've never seen anything like it. It does seem to fit the description of transvestita better than aureoflavescens, because of the greyish tone rather than clear yellow. Either way, a remarkable find. And unlike the entomologists of old, you let it live to enjoy its life, rather than pouncing, killing and pinning!

Thanks, Guy. Not sure this particular butterfly was 'enjoying' its life; it was harassed continually by other males mistaking it for a female but not receiving the anticipated rejection messages!

Fair play to it though. It was absolutely resolute to carry on nectaring from the cuckoo flower in spite of it being constantly assailed. In fact, I'd never have got so many images had it given up easily - it kept flying away, pursued by other males, only to return to the same patch of flowers.

David ,take a look at the pics on the BRITISH BUTTERFLY ABBERATIONS site . Worth a look.
Allan.W.

interesting to get good evidence that a species relies on sight rather than scent whilst attempting to mate

Terrific find, David.

Tony M.

Tony Moore wrote: ↑Sun May 03, 2020 11:05 am Terrific find, David.

Thanks, Tony.

Right place, right time.

Fantastic find David, I bet you thought it was Female at first Goldie

Took me a while to work it out, Goldie. Certainly looked more like a female than a male at first.

Great find David, and excellent photos to back it up. In this kind of situation, Sod's law has it that you usually get one blurred photo or none at all.

Thanks, Chris. It gave me plenty of chances as it kept returning to the same patch of flowers. It was just the interference from other males that made things awkward....

So I did post , I really must shake off the Blues Goldie

No worries, Goldie. I think we're all trying to shake off the blues at the moment!