Zerynthia variants

[Pete Withers]

Does anyone know if these are the same ssp or is the one an ab or melanistic, or are they just variable?

These were both seen in Var, South of France in April both at the same location.

[Padfield]

Hi Pete. These two are well within the normal range of variation for a single site. It is not uncommon to find fresh individuals with almost no red at all and both the extent of black and the ground colour vary considerably. Here are two from the same part of Spain:





Guy

[Pete Withers]

That's really interesting Guy thanks.

I've never seen really worn looking ones that aren't actually worn before

Pete