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Small Pearl Bordered Fritiliary with blue spots?
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 6:42 pm
by wildwalker3
Hello, I am no expert on butterflies. I took these pictures today at Warton Crag.
Unfortunately I do not have a picture of the upper side. I believe this is a small pearl bordered but found the blue pearls confusing.
Any help greatly appreciated
Re: Small Pearl Bordered Fritiliary with blue spots?
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 7:17 pm
by Wurzel
You're really close with the ID - it's a Pearl-bordered Fritillary
I reckon the blue spots are paint and have been put on as part of a capture/release study. Great set of shots
Have a goodun and stay safe
Wurzel
Re: Small Pearl Bordered Fritiliary with blue spots?
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 7:23 pm
by wildwalker3
Thank you that is great feedback, I learn something everyday
Re: Small Pearl Bordered Fritiliary with blue spots?
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 9:41 pm
by David M
Those blue marks suggest some kind of 'mark and release' exercise to me, Wildwalker. Definitely not a natural occurrence.
Re: Small Pearl Bordered Fritiliary with blue spots?
Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 7:57 am
by Steve Kirtley
The Pearl Bordered Fritillaries at Warton are being studied by Andy Wilby together with students from Lancaster University. As mentioned previously, the blue dots are due to a mark & recapture study there.
I was there on 5th May & Andy & a student were busy marking the butterflies then.
There is some more information here:-
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/about-u ... utterflies