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Arctic Circle aquilonaris?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 12:52 pm
by 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:
Re: Arctic Circle aquilonaris?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 2:44 pm
by 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
Re: Arctic Circle aquilonaris?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 2:46 pm
by 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
Re: Arctic Circle aquilonaris?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 2:53 pm
by 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
Re: Arctic Circle aquilonaris?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 3:00 pm
by 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!
Re: Arctic Circle aquilonaris?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2024 6:37 pm
by 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