www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Spotted this individual on the buddleia today, it seemed to me that the markings are quite dark, is it just my eyes or ordinary variation or is it an aberration?

Sorry that's a bit large, is there anyway to make it into a thumbnail or something similar?

I think i've seen them darker. We need an expert.

Hi James and Zonda,
Yes, that's an unusually dark one. V. cardui ab. ocellata. Very pretty!
Neil

Sussex Kipper wrote:Hi James and Zonda,
Yes, that's an unusually dark one. V. cardui ab. ocellata. Very pretty!
Neil

This is ab. melanosa - slightly heavier black markings with reduced 'pink' areas.

ab. ocellata is very different to this - distinguished by having matallic blue scales in the centre of the black spots on the hindwings.

Felix.

Ah very interesting, thanks guys, is this common?

Well, I can't see any difference from normal. Someone tell me what I'm supposed to be looking at.

I was told about this “Only Fools & Horses” butterfly chasing sketch. I don’t think it’s all that funny (not up to the show's usual standard) but judge for yourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mi6tP9h_JE

Jack

Essentially it's just a very dark example Jack, giving the appearance of a predominantly black butterfly with 'pink' markings. However, it is a form that occurs and reoccurs hence being given a descriptive name.

It's not particularly uncommon really, but interesting non the less. It's only in 'Painted Lady Years' such as 2009 that we have much opportunity in England to 'compare and contrast' as they say.

The 'pink' colour often varies in hue, and in some individuals it is replaced by pure white, making for a particularly striking butterfly; as is ab. ocellata which has blue 'eyes' on the hind wings.

Felix.

Thanks very much for the info , very interesting.

I hvae seen one of these this year too. There have been a few with more dark patches than orange

Xmilehigh's August comp entry, looks very interesting too.

Gruditch

I also had one like this, from the first off-spring this year. Denise

Go compare.com.

Now, i'm even more baffled.

So many varied specimens this year- and differences in age and colour confound things. OK - one I posted a while ago in the Painted Lady thread - how about this one for ab. carduelina ...?

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/research-cur ... at=gallery
I say that because whilst the butterfly looks faded overall, the brown and orange spot on the forewing does have colour. What do you think?

is it me, or is the abdomen very small? Sorry...Perhaps not.

ab: crappus

Jack

Jack......behave

ab: horrent!