www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Here are a few more.

I apologise for some poor photos, some of these are for ID rather than my trip report!

Could either of these be Southern Small White? 1, 2 and 3 are the same individual, 4 another.
Heath Fritillary? Image 2 and 3 are of the same individual.
I can't decide about these 2 and those weird pale marks don't help!
Thanks

Lee

Lee Hurrell wrote:I can't decide about these 2 and those weird pale marks don't help!

Hello Lee
Very similar but not quire Heath Fritillary? I've checked my Collins Field Guide to Butterflies of Britain and Europe and the nearest match is Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe (occitanica))

Hope that helps.

Phil O

I think both your whites are male southern small whites but I go for heath fritillary for all the frits (I did wonder about Provençal for the first one...). I still find Mellicta a very difficult genus, especially from photos, but athalia (heath) is particularly variable and I can't see anything to suggest they are not that. I think knapweed fritillary can be ruled out, both from the uppersides and from the undersides where these are visible. I understand why Phil suggested that, looking at the books, but in real life knapweed (though also extremely variable) is quite distinct and characteristic. The underside hindwing is also spotty near the base - sometimes a useful and easy thing to look for:



Guy

Many thanks, Phil and Guy!

I may have Knapweed still to come....

Cheers

Lee