Arctic Circle aquilonaris?

[David M]

Been going through my images from last month's visit to the Arctic Circle and found this one.

I think it is probably aquilonaris but it looks a little weird (particularly the dumb-bell marking in S1b of the forewing) compared to all the other photos I have of this species.

I know a few of you have experience of this butterfly, so if anyone could confirm I'd be very grateful:

[Roger Gibbons]

Hi David,

Fascinating trip and report!

I have absolutely no knowledge of the Arctic Circle butterflies, and there are some endemics that resemble the Alpine species quite closely. With that caveat, the hindwing angularity looks good for aquilonaris.

The mark in upf discal s1 that you mention: I looked over my images from last year in the Loire at the two V-shaped marks that are facing each other and usually separated. I have three images where they are joined to make the shape as in your image, so I don’t think it necessarily indicates a species other than aquilonaris.

Roger

[John Vergo]

Hi David yes it is a aquilonaris, I must admit that the dumbbell sign one this one, is very heavy, normally the stripe between the two signs is very weak or absent, but everything else, point on aquilonaris

[Padfield]

The wing shape identifies this as Boloria, sensu stricto, rather than Clossiana, and the only member of that group that flies in the far north is aquilonaris. I often see that linked pattern on the forewing. This photo is from last year, on my local patch:



For myself, I see no alternative!

Guy

[David M]

Thanks all, and thank you Guy for your very helpful image.

I fancied the wing shape was right for aquilonaris but the markings were quite different to all the other images I took of this species.

It always takes a while for the 'jizz' of a species new to you to sink in. I think I'm okay with this one now....it's just the other closely related menbers of that group I have to get my head round!

[Padfield]

Just to correct myself: I didn't look in the books when I posted my last message, and now see that napaea, another Boloria in the strict sense, also flies in the far north. You live and learn! Your butterfly is definitely aquilonaris, not napaea, but I don't like leaving errors in the record!

Guy