Slightly odd small tortoishell yesterday

[Naturenutz]

I saw 2 small tortoiseshells while out near the severn estuary in gloucestershire yesterday. I noticed something was odd about this one but i was not sure what it was.Once i had loaded the photo's i realised it had small white patches on the edge of the rear wings.

[JRsbugs]

I think that is due to wear and tear, there are some worn areas on the forewing too.

[Naturenutz]

Hi janet,the white area appears to be symmetrical on both rear wings ,and no other photo's on google show this.I still believe it is a slight aberration although i know what you mean about wear n tear.
There are a few signs of wear but no loss to the wings,just a few scratches etc.Its only a small difference but was noticable in the field

[JRsbugs]

If you look carefully (enlarged pic) I think you will see the left wing (as we are looking at it) has a larger white area on the 4th blue mark from the top edge. The right side has 3 white spots on the 4th blue mark, with some white on the 3rd spot from the top edge as well. I think it has bashed it's wings against something.

[nightshade]

Could it be "finger and thumb" damage where someone seized the butterfly by its closed wings ?

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Could it be "finger and thumb" damage where someone seized the butterfly by its closed wings ?

I doubt it, remember these will have hibernated and in hiding can get all sorts of damage, often when they are trying to get out of an outbuilding.