Butterfly ID Required Please

[suziet]

Hello

Would any of you mind helping me ID the floowing Butterflies I managed to photograph today please?

I am participating in the Butterfly count - but can't quite decide what type they are xx

Thank you

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Suzie

The first two are Common Blue,the next two of a Meadow Brown.
The last two look most like Small White to me but possibly Green-veined White as the light has burnt out some detail.


Cheers, Jason

[suziet]

Hello Again Jason

Wow you are good at my guessing game - Common Blue - I am excited as I thought Brown Angus lol xx

I also thought maybe Small White as I couldn't see any veins but wasn't too sure -

Is the Meadow Brown Male or Female - as I did ID Meadow Brown in other pics I had - but the spots were at the top of the wing - where these pics - spots are at the bottom.

Thanks Jason x

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Suzie.

The Meadow Brown is a female,which have ligher markings on them than the darker males.

Cheers ,Jason

[suziet]

Thank you Jason -

So is this a Male?





The orange circles are at the top on this Butterfly whereas the other pics - the circle is atthe bottom

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by suziet

Thank you Jason -

So is this a Male?





The orange circles are at the top on this Butterfly whereas the other pics - the circle is atthe bottom

Hi Suzie, these are both females, as Jason says the males are quite a lot darker, when they're worn they often appear plain brown with an orangey sheen, lacking the pale orange patches of the female. Here's a shot from the Gallery by Ollie of a fairly typical male -


Also, although it's quite tricky to tell from the photo I'd say the first butterfly is a Brown Argus rather than Common Blue, if it's any consolation Brown Argus is the less common of the two
Guy

[suziet]

Hi Guy

Thank you - I also thought Brown Angus when I initially googled it - but wasn't sure at all lol xx

[Lance Morgan]

Sorry guys 3&4 are Meadow Brown as you have identified

[lgswaff]

I've just put up a photo of the male medow brown in the Gallery with wings fully opened