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Miscoloured butterfly. Small Tortoiseshell Aberration.
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:35 pm
by neil
Hi. What have I here? Looks like a tortoiseshell that isn't. Never seen one like this before.
Re: Miscoloured butterfly
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:53 pm
by Pete Eeles
Hi Neil,
This is a Small Tortoiseshell aberration - possibly
ab. semiichnusoides:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/ ... %3dgallery
Cheers,
- Pete
Re: Miscoloured butterfly
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:56 pm
by Nick Broomer
I would say that this Small Tort. has been exposed to extreme heat while still in the pupa, and is similar to the ab.semi-ichnusoides.
All the best, Nick.
Re: Miscoloured butterfly
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 5:14 pm
by Vince Massimo
Nice find Neil
Can you provide site and date details?
With your permission I would like to make a copy for the Species-Specific Album (image will be credited to you).
Regards,
Vince
Re: Miscoloured butterfly
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:39 pm
by David M
That's an incredible specimen. The hindwings are remarkable in their own right, but the white suffusion on the forewings is astonishing.
Re: Miscoloured butterfly
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:09 pm
by neil
Hi Vince.
I took the picture in a field outside of Rushden, Northants. Date 15th July 2013, time 4.19pm. A number of butterflies were feeding on thistle and I went over for a closer look.I spotted this one among the Meadow Browns,the only Small Tortoiseshell. Fortunately I make it rule to keep my camera with me on sunny days in case something interesting is about. Lucky today.
Yes you may use a copy of the picture.
Regards.
Neil Richmond