Butterfly ID needed.

[JohnP]

This is the first time I've ever been stuck for an ID on a butterfly, for heavens sake there are only 59 species in the British Isles and I can't ID one. I never ever imaged this happening. It surely must be one of the Fritillaries going on the size of it as it was easily as large as a Peacock or Red Admiral. I've looked in my books and on the internet, someone else have a go please.

 

I only said in the shoutbox this morning I was going looking for butterflies and was hoping to find something unusual. I found Silver-washed Fritillaries as well.

 

[JohnP]

The more I look at the butterfly I want to ID, I'm beginning to think it's a Silver-washed Fritillary in which there's something wrong in the colouring.

 

Here is a normal Silver-washed Fritillary, also taken today.

 

[bugmeister]

That's a very odd colouration and I'm beaten as well.

[Terry]

Hi John, Silver-washed Fritillary it is. Google Silver washed Fritillary Images. Just seen exactly the same as you photo, which is excellent BTW

[JohnP]

Hi John, Silver-washed Fritillary it is. Google Silver washed Fritillary Images. Just seen exactly the same as you photo, which is excellent BTW

 

Thanks Terry! I just looked and you are right... first time I've seen one this colour.

[fuzzyedges]

nice work John

we are still with the gatekeepers

[JohnP]

nice work John

we are still with the gatekeepers

 

Fuzzy... I went to the Forest of Dean today to look for Silver-washed Fritillaries and I came up trumps. I did see a few last week but didn't succeed in getting any shots then. I did wonder what the heck that strange coloured one was though. There are still loads of Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Ringlets about, anyway I'm really happy I got what I when out to find today. Top of my list is a White Admiral, I think I'd be very lucky indeed to see one of those.

[fuzzyedges]

I am lucky to see a red admiral let alone white

[annie]

there are loads of migrants coming up from the continent at the moment due to the weather...

[fuzzyedges]

not where I walk there isn't Wish there was

might be in the bird world but I know even less about them

[JohnP]

It's surprising what one can dig up on the internet, I live and learn everyday.

 

This is interesting reading:    http://www.greatfen.org.uk/wildlife/sighting/silver-washed-fritillary-female-unusual-valezina-form

 

[JohnP]

Thank you Terry... it was only after you found a Silver-washed Fritillary on Google the same colour that I then made it my busy to learn more... and boy have I done that. Thanks again Terry!

[Terry]

Your welcome John.