www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hello All,

On the recommendation of a bug enthusiast my two young children and I spent a wonderful afternoon on the South Downs at Old Winchester Hill National Nature Reserve on our own bug hunt. Whilst I took my children there to enthuse them about nature I had very little knowledge of the insects we were seeing. Luckily I took my camera and snapped anything that moved for identification later.

Having spent the remainder of the weekend pouring over our UK wildlife books and your great website I am still stumped by the attached 4 butterflies. Help from old hands would be greatly appreciated.

I also have some that I think I have identified correctly but so as not to overload this email I will show them to you for confirmation in a following email or two.

Thanks in advance.

Anthony

Hi Antony, and welcome to UKB.

1, Large White, male
2, Meadow Brown
3, ?
4, Common Blue, female.

Denise

Edit, just seen that they are numbered in reverse order so my answers are upside down.

Number 1 surely a male (rather battered) Chalkhill Blue...
N

It's been a long day.

Denise

Number 1 is certainly a rather worn male Chalk Hill Blue. I saw plenty like this on Sunday along with a few fresher looking males.

Number 2.......Small White I think.

Lee

Thanks for your help. There were masses of battered and ragged butterflies about - The newly attached I wondered how it could fly (but it did!). The ones I originally posted were in the best condition.

Anthony

Just to say I agree with the IDs

Large White
Meadow Brown
Small White
Chalkhill Blue

Cheers,

- Pete

Is it common for a small white to lose its black tips and spots - or are they just 'hidden' in the photo?
Anthony

Anthony wrote:Is it common for a small white to lose its black tips and spots - or are they just 'hidden' in the photo?
Anthony

Oh yes - I've seen individuals that are practically transparent!

Cheers,

- Pete

Always debatable when a specimen is in such poor condition. I'm a fungi man, and it's like me trying to id a half rotted one, by sight alone...impossible really. I'd hate to have to tell a transparent small white, from a transparent GVW

Latest is a female Meadow Brown...?
N