Chalkhill Blue - Favourite Photo of 2011

[Piers]

Vince - so the orange you see is from the underside lunules?

Actually Lee, I hadn't thought of that and I don't even have a theory.
Here is a closer image.

IMG_2794-02S.jpg

Does anybody know what is actually going on?

Cheers,
Vince

It's not unusual for male chalkhill blues to have small orange spots on the upperside of the hind wing like this. Sometimes they are quite well developed.

[millerd]

Here's one with orange spots from Denbies during the Day Out With Susie on 6th August. Curiously, this was the first time I'd ever noticed them...

Dave

[Reverdin]

I remember Piers helpfully naming this one as ab. suavis (?) 4 years ago.

male Chalkhill with orange hindwing spots

[Piers]

I remember Piers helpfully naming this one as ab. suavis

Yes, that's it..! Well done Paul. I couldn't for the life of me remember the name. I don't think that I'm quite as enthusiastic as perhaps I once was...

[MikeOxon]

I am amazed by the 'furriness' of the body, as seen in this head-on view.

Aston Rowant NNR - 1st August 2011
Nikon D300s with 70-300 VR - 1/500s @ f/11 ISO 400

Mike

[EricY]

I like this head-on shot, the vibrant colour of the thistle might not be to everyones taste. Eric

Chalkhill blue head-on