pink butterfly??

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

I could see where you were coming from though

Apart from the small fact that the whole butterfly was pink and im there saying its a small white

[Dan Salter]

for a moment there i thought this thread was FINALLY onto something with some evidence after all this time only to find somone posting a pic on a british wildlife site about the pink butterfly reportedly seen here in the uk with a pic of a butterfly found in nebraska?...can someone explain the logic or is he just highlighting there ARE pink butterflies? which of course we all know....just not native here in the uk

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Apart from the small fact that the whole butterfly was pink and im there saying its a small white

Don't beat yourself up Dogghound! My very first thought on seeing that pic was it's a small white that's either been dyed or photoshopped or, just possibly, has a genetic defect. Never thought of Nebraskan!

Dave P.

[bluetriangle44]

Ok guys, I know this is a UK forum, but this is one of the only places that I could find where there have been *real* pink butterflies found!

I am from Nebraska in the US, and am a current student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, majoring in Forensic Entomology.

Catching, collecting and photographing butterflies has been a hobby for several summers now. In all my time I have NEVER seen a pink butterfly, and I can usually ID a butterfly on-sight down to a family, sometimes even a scientific name.

I can take several more pictures of this butterfly that are 100% authentic.

The pictures are NOT photoshopped in ANY way, shape or form. If I wanted to post something fake - trust me, this would be the *last* place I'd do it!!

I caught it on a Hollyhock flower in my front yard.

It was pink when I first spotted it, and I have kept it alive since. It is now in a small terrarium with padding, a cotton ball with honey & some water. I can and will keep it alive for about 24 more hours, until I either decide to kill/pin it, or let it go.

I am in touch with an Entomology professor at my university, who has a PhD. I will post her evaluation when I get a response.

~bluetriangle44

PS - I swear to everyone - this is an authentic picture - it was a pink butterfly when I caught it, and it still is.

[bluetriangle44]

Here are two more good pictures.







If anyone wants more proof, just say so.

Honestly - all I'm here for is to see if anybody can positively ID this butterfly. I'm not here to fake a posting, or to raise eyebrows over some specimen that you may think I photoshopped.

I understand that this is a UK forum, but if there is anybody out there who can possibly ID this little guy for me - even just a family - please do so!!

[Lance Morgan]

This is certainly a pierid and most likely p rapae (small white). It has either been stained or come into contact with a dye of some sort.

[Lance Morgan]

or...... photoshopped. The degree of pink on the upper wing is not the same on the last two images.

[pressld2]

I see what you mean Lance but the colour difference could be down to subtle differences in lighting or exposure. Slight underexposure produces deeper colours while slight over exposure will wash them out a bit.

Giving the benefit of the doubt for a moment, can anyone think of anything that the insect might have come into contact with that would have dyed it this colour? Some form of crop spray possibly?

Dave P.

[Dan Salter]

Ok this thread HAS got interesting again ignore my previous post....although im still slightly sceptical...but understand the nebraska element now.
Im kind of with the spray/dye thing.....which if its some worldwide used thing may explain possible similar sightings (sadly greatly lacking in any proof or pictures) in the uk.
Could diet be a possible reason? although....nectar is all pretty similar or is it?....didnt a man who only ate ornages turn orange once?...perhaps this butterfly likes to drink only strawberry milkshake?

[thunder]

I'd be quite in favour of the dye theory. Perhaps somebody is doing some mark recapture studies? Or sheer vandalism? Or accidental contact with some legitimate spray/colouring?

henrya