Unusual Painted Lady?

James M · Post by **James M** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:18 pm

Spotted this individual on the buddleia today, it seemed to me that the markings are quite dark, is it just my eyes or ordinary variation or is it an aberration?

James M · Post by **James M** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:20 pm

Sorry that's a bit large, is there anyway to make it into a thumbnail or something similar?

Zonda · Post by **Zonda** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:22 pm

I think i've seen them darker. We need an expert.

Neil Hulme · Post by **Neil Hulme** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:06 pm

Hi James and Zonda,
Yes, that's an unusually dark one. V. cardui ab. ocellata. Very pretty!
Neil

Piers · Post by **Piers** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:49 pm

Sussex Kipper wrote:Hi James and Zonda,
Yes, that's an unusually dark one. V. cardui ab. ocellata. Very pretty!
Neil

This is ab. melanosa - slightly heavier black markings with reduced 'pink' areas.

ab. ocellata is very different to this - distinguished by having matallic blue scales in the centre of the black spots on the hindwings.

Felix.

James M · Post by **James M** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:17 pm

Ah very interesting, thanks guys, is this common?

Jack Harrison · Post by **Jack Harrison** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:19 pm

Well, I can't see any difference from normal. Someone tell me what I'm supposed to be looking at.

I was told about this “Only Fools & Horses” butterfly chasing sketch. I don’t think it’s all that funny (not up to the show's usual standard) but judge for yourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mi6tP9h_JE

Jack

Piers · Post by **Piers** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:32 pm

Essentially it's just a very dark example Jack, giving the appearance of a predominantly black butterfly with 'pink' markings. However, it is a form that occurs and reoccurs hence being given a descriptive name.

It's not particularly uncommon really, but interesting non the less. It's only in 'Painted Lady Years' such as 2009 that we have much opportunity in England to 'compare and contrast' as they say.

The 'pink' colour often varies in hue, and in some individuals it is replaced by pure white, making for a particularly striking butterfly; as is ab. ocellata which has blue 'eyes' on the hind wings.

Felix.

James M · Post by **James M** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:23 pm

Thanks very much for the info

, very interesting.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:27 pm

I hvae seen one of these this year too. There have been a few with more dark patches than orange

Gruditch · Post by **Gruditch** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:47 pm

Xmilehigh's August comp entry, looks very interesting too.

Gruditch

Denise · Post by **Denise** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:44 pm

I also had one like this, from the first off-spring this year.

Denise

Zonda · Post by **Zonda** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:42 pm

Go compare.com.

: Painted Lady 010 (att).jpg (179.73 KiB) Viewed 999 times

Zonda · Post by **Zonda** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:48 pm

Now, i'm even more baffled.

NickB · Post by **NickB** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:32 am

So many varied specimens this year- and differences in age and colour confound things. OK - one I posted a while ago in the Painted Lady thread - how about this one for ab. carduelina ...?

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/research-cur ... at=gallery
I say that because whilst the butterfly looks faded overall, the brown and orange spot on the forewing does have colour. What do you think?

Zonda · Post by **Zonda** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:57 pm

is it me, or is the abdomen very small?

Sorry...Perhaps not.

Jack Harrison · Post by **Jack Harrison** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:36 pm

ab: crappus

Jack

Zonda · Post by **Zonda** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:02 pm

Jack......behave

NickB · Post by **NickB** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:26 pm

ab: horrent!

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