Fritillary for ID please

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 03:14 PM

On the S. Devon coast path, amongst rough grass, bracken and gorse.

Firstly a little confession. I'm only just average in butterfly ID, so when I first saw this specimen I thought 'That's a well marked Wall Brown'. I didn't have a macro lens with me but the 'on camera' lens focuses down to 10 ins so it seemed a pity to overlook something that was just sitting there beside the overgrown path.

It was only later, when I was checking through the camera images prior to downloading I noticed the absence of 'wing eyes' which made me start to think. And I realised too late that I should have tried for a side view as well.

Anyway, any chance of narrowing the ID down a bit from a top view only?

Jenny W · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 03:40 PM

Pearl Bordered (Boloria euphrosyne) or Small Pearl Bordered (Boloria selene).

Could be either at this time of year, but the habitat makes me err towards Small PB. Unwise to try and separate definitively from the upperwings, but the photo also suggests Small PB more than PB.

I could be wrong though!

GuyF · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 04:17 PM

I'd agree with it being a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, nice find!
An id point I've often heard mentioned is that on Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries the row of spots on the forewing is noticeably closer to the outer edge than on Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, it's explained well here on the Uk butterflies site (scroll down to the similar species section)
UK Butterflies - Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Boloria selene

Guy

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the ID and the link to that excellent site. I was also a bit confused between a Small Heath and a Meadow Brown with wings folded; but the UK Buttefly site has cleared that up as well.

If we get some fine weather next week I will have another look around in that area.

ps. I try to photograph and possibly ID a wide range of insect/spider species but a friend is mostly keen on butterflies. After adding this specimen plus a Green Hairstreak and a Silver Studded Blue to my list this week I think I am slightly in the lead now.

cheddar-caveman · #5 (**permalink**) 13-06-2009, 08:50 AM

Small Pearl Bordered

Geoff F · #6 (**permalink**) 16-06-2009, 09:58 PM

Loads of them around the coast path and nearby meadows/ rough grass today. Probably the commonest butterfly there now. But haven't seen any elsewhere in the locality.

Not totally certain that they are all Small Pearls until I check through the photos but it does appear likely. So I may be returning with another similar question shortly.