Glanville Fritillary with problems?

[Rambling Rob]

Hello,

I have not seen enough newly emerged butterflies to know what's normal and what isn't, but this Glanville Fritillary spotted on the IoW this afternoon seemed to be having problems expanding its wings on the left, especially the left forewing which appeared tightly coiled.



Does wing expansion normally proceed with approximate symmetry? Is the butterfly likely to achieve airworthiness?

Thanks for looking,
Rob

[Susie]

No, that one won't be okay. Looks like it's wings got a piece of chrysalis stuck over them and it wasn't able to expand them properly at the crucial time.

[Lance Morgan]

Susie is correct I'm afraid that one will never fly . When they emerge from the pupa the wings are like unexpanded bags of compressed scales. Usually (not always) the wings expand at the same rate symmetrically. This one has been prevented from doing so for some reason.

[Rambling Rob]

Thanks Susie, Lance,

I'm just hoping it might enjoy the pedestrian life. There was plenty of Bird's-foot Trefoil in flower nearby so at least it might console itself with a drink.

All the best,
Rob

[Johnny Redgate]

I saw quite a lot of this sort of thing when I was involved in a captive breeding project. Very disappointing when you've got them as far as adult emergence,