Help with identifying this butterfly?

[hanggdog]

Hi, can anyone help to identify this butterfly photographed in a field near Enfield, North London last week?
Many thanks

[Vince Massimo]

Hi Hanggdog, that's a Painted Lady which has just migrated from the continent.

Vince

[hanggdog]

Thank you Vince. I can see that now. Will the colours become more vivid over time or has the reverse happened?

[Vince Massimo]

Hi Hanggdog,

The colours are faded and the wings are worn because this is an old and well-traveled individual. Its starts off a beautiful salmon-pink, but gets paler as it looses more wing scales.

Vince

[hanggdog]

Thank you Vince for a very informative and prompt response.