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Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:13 pm
by Trev Sawyer
Probably another one for Felix...
I was at a local site for Grizzled Skippers on Saturday and found a few fresh individuals. I know how varied these little insects can be ( I have to confess they are my
favourite butterfly), but one looked to have so much white on it that I wondered if it would be classed as an aberration (maybe
intermedia) or whether this is within the normal range of markings... What say ye Felix?
The first one is typical of the site, whilst the second has a little more white than I am used to finding...
Trev
Re: Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:54 pm
by Padfield
I'll leave it to Felix to make a determination, but I don't think this is
intermedia, in which the male in particular is characterised by robust markings and a 'dogsbone' in s1 of the forewing. This one I photographed in 2007 closely resembles the male in the Cockayne collection.
On the other hand, I agree your individual is striking and out of the ordinary, particularly with regard to the white mark within the cell. I look forward to Dr Felix's diagnosis...
Guy
PS - since your first individual is female and the second male it is a little misleading to compare the two directly.
Re: Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:07 pm
by Neil Hulme
Hi Trev,
Lovely shots - of a lovely species. I think your specimen falls within the range of natural variation though.
Neil
Re: Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:06 pm
by Trev Sawyer
Thanks Guys (well Guy and Neil
)
Trev
Re: Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:49 am
by Piers
Wot Guy and Neil sez.
Freshly emerged grizzled skippers are frequently heavily dusted with white scales (particularly males, of which yours is one) which are gradually lost as the insect ages.
Although your specimen is striking, the white markings are not enlarged or extended (as Guy says) in the manner that is found in abs taras, scabellata, etc.
Felix.
Re: Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:12 pm
by Zonda
Great pics Trev. These are my next goal for 2011. I know little about them, except that they like bare soil.
Re: Grizzled Skipper ab?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:30 pm
by Lee Hurrell
Zonda, you can add to the list that they are a right pain to follow in flight!
Extremely small and very fast.
Cheers
Lee