Page 1 of 1
Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:24 pm
by Catteraxe
The picture below was taken in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence at the Col de la Cayolle (2360m). I think it's either Shepherd's or Mountain but I'm unclear which (and, of course, I may well be wrong on both counts!). Any insight gratefully received.
Kevin.
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:11 pm
by David M
Hard to say from an underside alone, Kev, and in any case this specimen seems quite weakly marked. Don't suppose you have any uppers?
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:38 pm
by Catteraxe
Hi David,
Unfortunately I don't have any upperside images
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:29 am
by Catteraxe
Having just read Roger's EIG article on identification of Shepherd's and Mountain, I think my image is a Mountain Frit (napaea). A very useful article.
Kevin.
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 5:23 pm
by Chris Jackson
Hi Kevin,
Remind me to whip my Borloria photos out during the off-season.
We'll then have a little comparison.
Chris
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:00 pm
by Catteraxe
Hi Chris,
That should prove a very interesting exercise!
Kevin.
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:34 pm
by David M
Chris Jackson wrote:Remind me to whip my Borloria photos out during the off-season.
Do you
have an off-season, Chris?
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:14 am
by Padfield
Hi Kevin. I've been on data-roaming for a while so resisted the temptation to visit posts like this! You are right - your butterfly is a female mountain fritillary, B. napaea. In the Alps, males can be very tricky, mainly because of the huge variation in the linearity/macularity of the pales upperside. But females are generally easy from either surface. The underside of female napaea is really very pale, as shown in your picture.
Guy
Re: Frit ID Help Needed
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:15 pm
by Catteraxe
Thanks Guy, your confirmation is appreciated.
Kevin