www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hello, I was in Menorca in May for birds and saw this butterfly (sorry the left wing is partly obscured) and I'm hoping you can help with identification.

Very much a novice here but I've been through the ID guide and think (sticks neck out) it's Lasiommata megera (is it really called a Wall?). Am I OK with this ID or have I got it wrong. If I'm wrong please point out why.

Many thanks,

David

Hi David - this is actually a Speckled Wood!

This species exhibits a general "cline" from very dark individuals with white spots in northern Scotland, through to light individuals with Brown spots in southern Spain.

Yours is the subspecies "aegeria", whereas that found in most of the UK is "tircis", I believe.

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks, Pete, that'll teach me put my head above the parapet!
However, and here I stand to have another picture corrected, I have this shot in the database as a Speckled Wood and as well as a colour difference there are white spots on the forewing which are absent from the Menorcan bird, I mean butterfly.
Is my ID of this second one safe? Shot in the UK Aug 2006.
Thanks again this is a great place to learn.

Yes - this is also a Speckled Wood

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks again,

D