butterflies for ID please

dogsmercury · #1 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 10:48 PM

Hi,

Could I please have some help identfying these please?

many thanks
Graham

Naturenutz · #2 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 03:07 AM

ill give this a shot

1. holly blue
2.Gatekeeper
3.painted lady
4 - not sure
5.Gatekeeper
6.green veined white

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naturenutz

ill give this a shot

1. holly blue
2.Gatekeeper
3.painted lady
4 - not sure
5.Gatekeeper
6.green veined white

Agree with all these. The Gatekeeper + GV White are both females.

4 is a Meadow Brown.

dogsmercury · #4 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 10:46 PM

Thank you both for your help

Graham

Tormentil · #5 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

.... The Gatekeeper + GV White are both females.

How does one differentiate the genders please ?

Heidfirst · #6 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 12:35 AM

variations in wing colouration/pattern.
many male butterflies have a dark sex brand on the forewings.

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidfirst

variations in wing colouration/pattern.
many male butterflies have a dark sex brand on the forewings.

That's certainly the case for the Gatekeeper as the 1 in the OP's photo lacks the dark sex-brand on the fore-wings. for the GV White the heavy wing spotting is typical for a female; this feature is valid for the other 2 widespread white, Pieris spp, too.