Unusual colouration Maniola jurtina

[NigelH]

One expert puts the greenish blue colouration down to fresh emergence. All opinions gratefully received. Nigel.

[bugboy]

I'd say that expert knows what they're talking about , you see similar glossy sheens on other freshly emerged butterflies. I have a similar image of a greenish blue Grayling from this year which I posted on the favourite photo thread here viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9592

Brown Argus are also common culprits of this trick of the light.

[millerd]

Yes, I'd agree with that. It's not uncommon on many newly emerged brown butterflies, particularly female blues - here's an example of a brand new Silver-studded Blue female from 2013 (Fairmile Common).

Definitely a sheen, not blue scales.

Dave

[Matsukaze]

As Bugboy suggests, freshly-emerged Brown Argus does this too. World Cup final day, 2010. Finemere Wood, Buckinghamshire.