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Small heath?

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 10:27 pm
by NickC
I photographed this butterfly on a very hot day in July at RAF Marham in Norfolk (so plenty of open grassland, as is usual for airfields of course). From the wing underside markings I think it's a small heath. Am I correct please?
small_heath.jpg
I presume from the size and shape of the abdomen, that it is a female with rather a lot of eggs on board?

Re: Small heath?

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 10:29 pm
by bugboy
Definitely a Small Heath Nick and yes, a rather rotund female!

Re: Small heath?

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:44 pm
by NickC
Thanks bugboy :)

Re: Small heath?

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 8:07 am
by Chris Jackson
NickC wrote: ... I think it's a small heath. Am I correct please? ...
Hi Nick and Bugboy,

Its markings are similar to C. pamphilus in the South of France in the later broods, called form lyllus.
From this week-end:
pamphilus31 La Taurelle 22Sep18 (2).JPG
pamphilus31 La Taurelle 22Sep18 (5).JPG
and here is one from the 9th August a couple of years ago:
pamphilus8_83 La Tourne 09Aug15 (5).JPG
Cheers,
Chris

Re: Small heath?

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 11:07 am
by David M
Chris Jackson wrote:
and here is one from the 9th August a couple of years ago:
Wow! Never seen one like that before, Chris.

Looks like pamphilus x dorus, if such a thing were possible.