www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Possibly an ab?

Seen at Alners Gorse, Dorset 7/8/23.

Mark.

I'd say physical damage to the scales, probably before emerging so what is commonly known as a pathological ab rather than a true ab.

I suspect that may be the case, as always though its nice to see something out of the ordinary!

Mark.

The symmetry of the discolouration suggests a genetic (or at least, early developmental) origin. If disease or some external factor had affected the pupa, you would expect the two sides to show different patterns, as the pupal wings are on opposite sides of the body. Sometimes external factors can cause symmetric discolouration if they strike while the wings are held together over the back, but this doesn't have the feel of that kind of damage. I'm really, really, not an expert on this kind of thing, but that is what logic tells me ...

Guy

Thanks for that Guy, interesting stuff.

Mark.