Estonia ID Help

[markhows]

Can anyone help with any of these ID?

I am struggling with the Frits, the large spots should make it easy but my books are not helping

Thanks

Mark

[Padfield]

Morning Mark!

The first fritillary, which you show again at the end, with an underside shot third from the end, is a bog fritillary. From the upperside, the very linear markings give it away, as well as the lack of a round black spot at the base of the hindwing (always something to look for, as its absence excludes pearl-bordered and small pearl-bordered). You seem to have a slightly aberrant individual there, though I can't really comment as this is a butterfly I've never seen (and would love to!!).

The heaths would seem to be the infinitely variable large heath.

The first blue is a common blue. I think the second one is also, but I am not sure. It's nice to see an underside with blues.

The other fritillary is a small pearl-bordered.

You must have had a great time!

Guy

[markhows]

Guy,

we had an excellent time and thanks for the ID help.

I am not sure about the heaths, they were smaller than large heath but bigger than small heath which had me confused.

For the Bog frits there are two individuals photographed here so is it possibly a regional variation?

Again thanks for your help

Mark

[Roger Gibbons]

The second blue has a suggestion of Amanda’s Blue, but I am just going on instinct without any reference sources here. Was it noticeably larger than a Common Blue?

[Padfield]

Quite right! I don't know why I breezed over that one! It looks very like Mandy!!

If you compare it detail by detail with this Amanda's blue, taken in Switzerland, you will see it matches on almost all points; and as Roger says, the feel is Amanda's.



Guy

[markhows]

Many thanks for the help.

most appreciated

Mark