www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I my garden near Swanage on 27th July 2015 I saw this rather iridescent Meadow Brown. At first sight I assumed it was getting reflection from the flowers, but whenever it opened its wings it looked the same except when viewed sideways on when the iridescence did not show. I looked at the UK Butterflies site and see that there are 2 subspecies known as Jurtina and Insularis which can have this iridescent appearance. The Insularis version is known to be in the south coast area. The underside looked quite normal - no sign of any green or blue. Have I just had too many glasses of wine or is this specimen something different?

Of the multi thousands of Meadow Browns I've seen over the years, I've never noticed any element of blue on the wings in any type of light.

Most unusual.