What is this?

dallo · #1 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 12:06 PM

I took this photograph last summer in Wales. I'm not sure what it is! Is it a Ringlet butterfly?

mrs fish · #2 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 03:26 PM

It looks like a female "mazarine blue" "cynairis semiargus", see what others think, lovely pic

Ollie · #3 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 03:49 PM

I'm not familiar with the mazarine blue but It easily could be. I don't think it's a Ringlet as your photograph has a blueish tint and the eye markings are not pronounced enough for a Ringlet
Roger

ceterach · #4 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 03:56 PM

I can see where Mrs Fish is coming from but I think it is a Ringlet with a few spots missing. The easiest way would be by size, if it was about the same size as a Meadow Brown then it is a Ringlet, if quite a bit smaller then ?

GuyF · #5 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 04:09 PM

Hi Dallo,
I agree with John, it looks like a Ringlet. The shape isn't quite right for one of the blue butterflies, whereas it matches the browns nicely.
Nice shot.
Guy

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 04:49 PM

Yes, Ringlet. A Mazarine Blue would have got the twitchers very heated up as it's a very rare immigrant to UK + possibly long-extinct resident, though there's debate as to whether it really was a true resident here!

dallo · #7 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 09:59 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. I was confused because of the lack of spots on the wings. TBH If it is a Ringlet then it is the first one I have come accross!