yellow/black butterfly in November

lemars · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2010, 09:43 AM

Please could anyone identify these very poor images of a butterfly.
Despite checking European butterfly book (and European moth book - since I couldn't find it in the former) the best I seem to be able to come up with is an Easten Pale Clouded Yellow - which it certainly couldn't be.
I'm sure there's a simple answer, but it's too simple for me !!
Whatever they were (there were two of them fluttering about) they certainly stood out as things get drabber and greyer round here.
http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal...s/P1060991.JPG
http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal...s/P1060990.JPG

basquesteve · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2010, 01:36 PM

Hi

Most unusual for the butterfly to have its wings open I'm sure its a Pale Clouded Yellow but as you say it shows a remarkable similarity to a female Eastern Pale C. Y.

Edit

You have me going now here is a picture of a pale Yellow White variant (they make up 10% of females) you can see through the wings to the upper pattern its close to yours but white

Steve

lemars · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 05:59 AM

Thank you Steve - I'm glad someone has a similar idea to mine.
The reason there's no image of the butterfly with closed wings is that it was a very very sunny day and it simply wouldn't keep still. As soon as I moved myself between the sun and its resting place - it would fly off. I deleted a few I managed to take of closed wings because there was nothing to see - just reflected sunlight on the wings.

I managed to get only those poor photos by using a very fast shutter speed - it didn't really rest like that.

Thank you for your reply - I hope someone can confirm it eventually. They looked so very out of place despite the sunshine.

basquesteve · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 09:21 AM

Hi
I hope you do not mind but I have posted your pictures on another French Forum
Sam is a French expert near you planetepassion.freeforums.org • View topic - One for Sam

We will see what turns up

Steve

basquesteve · #5 (**permalink**) 13-11-2010, 10:30 PM

It appears to be an aberration of the Clouded Yellow Sam's the author of this site http://www.6pattes.fr/

Steve

lemars · #6 (**permalink**) 14-11-2010, 06:54 AM

Thank you Steve - I've only just found your reply. It was really good of you to send on those (awful) photos - and amazing that someone was able to come up with something.
Thank you for your help