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Fritillaries and Blues
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:33 pm
by wavelea1
Pete, Guy and JKT
Help required from the experts please. Are the attached the Weaver's Fritillary and a Holly Blue - the underwing markings on the blue don't match up with my books???
Apologies for the pic quality and 'pixelation' - both were taken at distance they were far two active to allow us near.
Mike
Re: Fritillaries and Blues
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:58 pm
by Padfield
Hi Mike,
You're right with the Weaver's frit (or violet frit as I prefer to call it) and with the first blue, which is a male holly. But the second blue is a Provençal short-tailed blue, Everes (Cupido) alcetas. They can't be the same insect!
Guy
PS - Where were the pictures taken (just so I can rule out Eastern short-tailed blue)?
Re: Fritillaries and Blues
Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 2:36 pm
by wavelea1
Me again....
Three of these could be the Little Blue and given the underside markings although the browner one is clearly a different insect. I suspect the other is either a Common Blue or a Chapman's Blue - if it is a Common is it in the form 'icarinus'????
I'm using 'Butterflies of Europe' a a guide - have you noticed that the Small Blue doesn't feature - is it called something else in Europe?
Thanks again for your help with this.
Mike
Re: Fritillaries and Blues
Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 2:44 pm
by Padfield
The first one looks like Chapman's blue (Agrodiaetus thersites) to me, but I would retain an option on common blue, without having a chance to see the upperside.
The others show female mazarine blue. Oh, and as if to confirm this, note the plant she is laying on!!
Guy
PS - to the best of my knowledge, little blues (small blues!) will only lay on kidney vetch.
Re: Fritillaries and Blues
Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 2:46 pm
by Pete Eeles
Not sure about the first blue - but would guess Common.
The others look like a female Mazarine Blue to me.
Small Blue is called "Little Blue" in Lafranchis. In Europe it's called "Cupido minimus"
Cheers,
- Pete
Re: Fritillaries and Blues
Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 11:10 pm
by wavelea1
Thanks guys
I would never have placed the Mazarine. There are a few more pics which I haven't yet placed so please keep watching. I am extremely grateful - what do others do without this type of support? - Guess!
Mike