Small Tortoiseshell Unusual

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:35 pm

I was out looking around and came accross a small tortoiseshell. I know it was one, but its colours (the red bit) was the same colours of a large tortoiseshell, not red, more a rusty brown. Is this an abberation or is this to do with it being old and colours fading?

I was definitly a small tortoiseshell and it did not have white parts. I tried to get a pic, but it was to fast to catch. Maybe another time. What was it?

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:11 pm

Like this one? Looks oretty normal to me.

Martin.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:20 pm

Not really. looking through cockayne database the nearest thing I could see was this ab. angustibalteata. Bit hard to tell without a photo to id properly.

http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/research ... BER=500211

It was either this or a faded female. But I have never seen one with such dull colours before.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:17 pm

Most butterflies fade over time. Especially those that overwinter.

Cheers,

- Pete