Clouded yellow

[gecko]

Hi folks,

I was just wondering if clouded yellows would still be about at this time of year (West Yorkshire area). I was out on a walk this afternoon and saw a large, orange-yellow butterfly - the colour of orange squash is the closest I can describe it as. It definitely wasn't a brimstone, a much richer yellow-orange colour than that species. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera with me and only saw it for a few seconds, but it seemed distinctly large, comparable perhaps to a large white.

Any ideas?

Thanks, J

[GuyF]

I wouldn't say that Clouded Yellows are particularly large, they're smaller than most Large Whites or Brimstones, although the colour you describe matches their uppersides nicely. Did you notice any black borders to the wings while it was in flight?
It is still possible for Clouded Yellows to be flying at this time of year, last year I saw a very tatty specimen in November!
Guy

[Deer Hunter]

I saw five over the weekend along the East Devon Coastal footpath. The latest I've ever seen any. Its not a butterfly that was seen in any great numbers during the summer months this year - I suppose you can say that for the majority of species this year owing to the weather.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

we had some near us a few years ago and that was the end of august. If you have nothing to compare them against they could easily look largish.From what I can remember (cogs grinding) they're not too far off a large white.


neil

[Dan Salter]

Me and my friend Andy.. ( Perry Grin?....got him to join here last week but not seem him yet?) ...well actually ill give him the credit...spotted one at Oare Marshes in north Kent last Sunday...i was very suprised to see one this late and it looked in great condition.

[andy68]

Can't think that it could have been anything else from that description. I saw one at Rutland Water last Monday - the only one I've seen this year. Lepidoptera migration has been almost non-existent here recently!

Andy

[gecko]

Hurrah, well your thoughts are good enough for me - it's going down as a clouded yellow

Thanks all.

[aeshna5]

I used to see them well into October when I was a Scilly regular. Haven't seen any in the UK this year sadly!

[Wild-Woman]

This is the one and only shot of a Clouded Yellow that I snatched at Samphire Hoe at the end of August. As I stated on a previous thread, I was extremely lucky to see 5!
I've only ever seen ones until that day.