www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I'm off to Kos for a week on Thursday. Does anyone know if there will be anything about or is it too late in the season? If there are butterflies any idea what I might look for?

Thanks
Denise

I've never been to Kos but I'm sure there will still be stuff around! In general, islands have rather few species but those they do have are often special and interesting. I won't even speculate as to what you might see, because my only trip to a Greek island was in March, many years ago, but do look out for yellow female Cleopatras, if these are still flying. If it looks like a male brimstone but has a much more rounded hindwing it is probably one of these. Here is one I took that March:



I look forward to the pictures when you get back.

Guy

I'm back from hot and sunny but often very windy Kos.
There were lots of butterflies about including Small Tortoiseshell, Cleopatras, Large Whites, some that I think were Pasha's, ( quite large and bright and very beatifull) Many very small blue's and skippers. I managed a few photo's but as I said, it was very windy.

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Hope you like these.
Denise

Thanks, Denise. That looks like a lesser fiery copper - you have me jealous already! Do you know what the blue is? From that view alone it could be a common blue or one of several others.

Guy

Hi Guy,
I think that the pic is of a common blue but there were several different types and sizes of blue butterfly. One white species that I saw a few of was large with black stripes and a blue edge to the wing. Any idea what it might be? Here are a few more pics of poor quality i'm afraid.







Denise

I would guess the large white ones with black stripes and blue edges were scarce swallowtails. The pictures here are:

1 Common blue and long-tailed blue
2 Lesser fiery copper (male)
3 Long-tailed blue

In the first picture, it is possible to see the cell spot on the underside of the forewing, confirming that this is common blue.

You must have had a great holiday!

Guy

Thank you Guy,
Next time I go I will arm myself with a very large white umbrella and a tripod so that I can spend more time in the field without cooking myself and getting the shakes!
It was a brilliant holiday, I would recommend Mastihari village and surrounding areas in Kos as a butterfly hot spot. Even the beach held more than a few, but they were passing through.

Denise

Does anyone know what the Skipper is, if in fact it is a skipper. After reading Sue's id question I am beginning to doubt myself.

Thanks
Denise

It's a marbled skipper, Carcharodus lavatherae. Don't doubt yourself!

Guy