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Espers or not Espers, that is the question!!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:22 pm
by rezamink
Again from Sorrento:

I thought this was Espers as the Black band is unbroken?
EspersMarbledWhite170730.LL.IT.JPG
Unlike my UK Marbled White:
MarbledWhite170623a.MW.UK.JPG
But i've now been told that as it's just a single cell... it's a subspecies of M galathea?

What does anyone think?

Cheers!

Damian

Re: Espers or not Espers, that is the question!!!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 8:32 pm
by petesmith
Yep - definitely galathea - Espers is a very different beast! Across Europe galathea is very variable in pattern and intensity of markings, with many local forms.

Re: Espers or not Espers, that is the question!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 6:43 am
by rezamink
Thanks Pete!

Re: Espers or not Espers, that is the question!!!

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 7:01 am
by Medard
http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Esper's Marbled White (Melanargia russiae) fly's in company with galathea and is easily recognizable in the field,as it is much whiter and larger than Melanargia galathea.
More photos here http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p464286111#h507e825b

A video can be seen on this link.http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p577876181#h9117e59a