Silver Washed Fritillary Aberration

[PhilBJohnson]

Hi Guys,
I found this butterfly over on Bookham Common fairly near the Mark Oak Car Park on my day off work on Wednesday 2nd July. I posted it in a hurry in case anyone else wanted to try and "track it down". I recognised it as a Silver Washed Fritillary Aberration but first thought it was female, then noticed the dark sex brand after showing one of my pictures to a National Trust Warden. I was very excited having not seen anything like this before . It was even tasting the gravel track which the SWFs usually ignore. Unfortunately I don't think I have any superb pictures and I lost sight of it when I bent down to pick up my "Purple Emperor tripod"

2/6/2014 SWF Aberration, Bookham Common

One of the few glimpses I got of underwing

If anyone could provide me with any more information on this form, I would be grateful. I am hoping not to have to learn too many more new words!

Best Wishes,

Philip

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Philip - nice find! Pretty sure this is ab. nigricans:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/ ... ame=paphia

Cheers,

- Pete

[badgerbob]

Wow, what a beauty.

[PhilBJohnson]

Thank you very much Pete and badgerbob.
This butterfly really made my day and after that I was very "relaxed" about taking pictures of Purple Emperors !
I think I have now uploaded two SWF video clips linked to youtube. When I get some more editing time, I think I will remove the first video and replace it with an updated version including 2014 footage. I will of course try and include some more interesting bits other than just "bramble nectaring"
Best Wishes,
Philip

[Chris L]

Has anyone on the forum seen Valezina? I have a feeling that I am going to see her this year.

[David M]

Has anyone on the forum seen Valezina? I have a feeling that I am going to see her this year.

Yes, probably a dozen or more. You can't really go out expecting them; they just turn up every so often.

Lovely insects.