ID confirmation for common butterflies? (1 Viewer)

[eleusis]

Hi all,

These are both fairly common in Kent so I don't think IDs will be a problem. I'm pretty certain that the first is a common blue, but the second is confusing me. I see these everywhere and I'd always been told they were meadow browns. However, when I actually looked up meadow brown in my book (admittedly not a good book!) the photo looked very different - a much duller colour, and none of the markings on the lower wings. So I'm just checking here.

I'm clearly not a butterfly expert (!) but I took both of these photos while trying out the macro and super-macro modes on my Canon S2 IS - the brown one was about 5 cm from the lens (very obliging of it to stay still for me Once I've confirmed the IDs I'll put some less-shrunk copies of the pictures in my gallery..

Keith.

 

[the bird]

might be totally of my trolley so to the experts I apologise... but I think the one on the left is Holly Blue (check out the under wing) and the one on the right is Gatekeeper.

Great pictures though - I think i'll have to get a camera.


The Bird

 

[Jos Stratford]

Agree with the the Bird, these are Gatekeeper and Holly Blue (Holly Blue has one of the plainest underwings of all the blues, contrast to Common Blue which has prominent orange spots on the underwing)

 

[eleusis]

Thanks guys,

I definitely need a better butterfly book!

In mine, the picture and description of the gatekeeper doesn't show or mention the black spots on the lower wings, which confused me.. and the photo of the holly blue looks absolutely nothing like this one, much darker blue, although the description of the underwing does match..

I think I'll stick to waders and seabirds - I can tell the difference between a puffin and an avocet

Keith.

 

[the bird]

eleusis,


keep on in there my friend, I'm really only a beginner, although I do know the commoner butterflies. Blues confuse the hell out of me.

The Bird

 

[eleusis]

If you're only a beginner, I don't think there is a word for me

Anyhow, many thanks to both of you - I've posted less-shrunk versions of both photos in my gallery (with due credit for ID!)

Keith.

 

[harry eales]

Thanks guys,

I definitely need a better butterfly book!

In mine, the picture and description of the gatekeeper doesn't show or mention the black spots on the lower wings, which confused me.. and the photo of the holly blue looks absolutely nothing like this one, much darker blue, although the description of the underwing does match..

I think I'll stick to waders and seabirds - I can tell the difference between a puffin and an avocet

Keith.

Hello eleusis,
There aren't many good butterfly identification books available these days that do illustrate both the upper and underside wing colours and patterns, at least none, at a 'reasonable price'. If you look on Ebay you should be able to pick up a copy of Richard Souths 'British Butterflies', Wayside and Woodland Series, published by F.Warne & Co., often for less than £10.00. The coloured plates do show both upper and undersides of all the British species.

Fair enough, the text relating to distribution is out of date, but that isn't important, as even the latest books are out of date as far as distribution is concerned. Buying a copy of this book won't exactly break the bank, and it will fit into your pocket.

Edit. See http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Butterflies-o...6971571536QQcategoryZ1123QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Butterflies-W...971786857QQcategoryZ12569QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Harry

 

[Brian Stone]

Begging to differ Mr H.

Richard Lewington's Pocket Guide shows uppers and unders for both sexes plus egg, caterpillar and crysalis illustrations for all the British species. It is indispensible and is only 8 quid! ISBN 0 9531399 1 3
http://www.britishwildlife.com/html/books.html

 

[harry eales]

Begging to differ Mr H.

Richard Lewington's Pocket Guide shows uppers and unders for both sexes plus egg, caterpillar and crysalis illustrations for all the British species. It is indispensible and is only 8 quid! ISBN 0 9531399 1 3
http://www.britishwildlife.com/html/books.html

Hello Brian,
I must say I haven't seen this book yet, I must look it up sometime soon. It certainly seems to be cheap at £8.00. I'll reserve comment until I've seen a copy, however, I must say that all the books I have seen by Richard Lewinton have been very well illustrated. Perhaps I'll invest last weeks lottery win (£10.00) on buying a copy myself.

Harry

 

[Brian Stone]

By way of review I would say the book is virtually flawless. I don't know what I did without it.

 

[Nigel G]

By way of review I would say the book is virtually flawless. I don't know what I did without it.

Thanks for the tip Brian - I am always ready for another ID book and as that site also gives the best price I've seen on Lewingtons Dragonflies (£16.00 incl p&P) I've ordered that as well. :clap: