Butterfly id needed

Words · #1 (**permalink**) 21-09-2007, 08:26 PM

Saw this beauty today but can't work out whether it's a "pale clouded yellow" or "clouded yellow".

GuyF · #2 (**permalink**) 21-09-2007, 08:31 PM

I think it's a Clouded Yellow. This one shows a greeny tinge to the wings, and and the patch on the underside of the forewing is orangey. In a Pale Clouded Yellow there wouldn't be the green tinge, it would be more yellowy and the patch would be more of a lemon yellow. Also, Pale Clouded Yellows are very rare visitors to Britain.
Well done though, it is an excellent picture, especially considering how wary Clouded Yellows are. Whereabouts was this shot taken?
Thanks,
Guy

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 21-09-2007, 08:32 PM

Colias croceus clouded yellow

Words · #4 (**permalink**) 21-09-2007, 08:36 PM

Thanks Guy. I have plenty of books, but can never quite work out what I'm looking for!

I managed a couple of dozen shots, some extremely close in. It didn't seem to mind at all and would just flit between flowerheads. I took it at my favoured dragonfly location, a small dewpond on the Sussex university campus.

GuyF · #5 (**permalink**) 21-09-2007, 08:42 PM

They're always nice ones to see!
I don't think 2007's been a very good year for these butterflies, so your local county recorder might be interested in this record.
well done again!
Guy

paulchandler6 · #6 (**permalink**) 21-09-2007, 10:06 PM

Not seen any Clouded Yellow yet this year, normally have seen a few by now. Also not many seen at coastal sites. All migrant lepidoptera seem to be in low numbers this year.

Paul

Words · #7 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 12:05 AM

I did see several a few weeks ago on the edge of a local nature reserve (about 3 miles from where I took this), but they were near impossible to photograph. Beautiful to watch though.