Swiss Blues

[Paul Wetton]

The Blues in the following video clip are possibly just Large Blues but in the first clip although worn the insect looks to have the upperside of a male Mountain Alcon Blue and the wear pattern would fit with the flight period this year I think.

The second individual did not open its wings but has a distinct lack of blue flush to the underwing basal area.

Any ideas on ID gratefully accepted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7F_5RTtlEU[/video]

Many thanks

[Reverdin]

In my infinite ignorance, they look like arion to me Guy will know! ( both the ID and the ig )

[Paul Wetton]

Thanks Rev. There is probably too much blue on the underside of them both.

[Padfield]

Underside features that distinguish these two include the submarginal markings and the postdiscal spots. In arion the submarginal markings look very clearly like a twin series, the outer marks being quite deeply branded; the postdiscal spots on the forewing are larger than those on the hindwing and usually elongate or oval. In rebeli the submarginal markings look like a single series (the inner series) with a dark shadow outside; the postdiscal spots on the forewing are small and usually circular.

To illustrate this, here is a rebeli male:



This is a pair of arion:



Both Paul's insects fit the bill for rebeli, though the submarginal markings on the hindwing of the first are quite strong. The upperside of the first is obviously not like either species, but it is easier to imagine rebeli wearing down to that state than arion miraculously losing all trace of postdiscal spotting.

In short, I think they're both rebeli. I have less confidence with the first one.

Rev's hesitation is natural - especially as the upperside of the first one really doesn't look like a male rebeli (it is definitely a male)!! For those who don't know the species, this is what a fresh male rebeli looks like (in fact, the same male as in the underside picture above):



But those pictures were taken on 4th June. Paul's were probably a month later.

The extent of blue under the wings is variable. I haven't got a copy of H & R with me in England but I seem to recall them noting that there was more in rebeli than alcon (which they regarded as subspecies, as is current fashion).

Guy

[Paul Wetton]

Guy thanks for such a detailed answer and for once I seem to have managed to capture the rarer species on film this time. Shame the first one was so worn. My first instincts were correct for a change.

Hope you're having a good stay in blighty. Probably missing some good stuff in Switzerland though.

All the best Guy.

[Paul Wetton]

Guy forgot to mention you got me on the Apple gear. Bought an iPod yesterday as I don't need the phone. Picking it up tomorrow.

Cheers mate.