I took these pictures in the Dolomite mountains late July early August and I am still struggling with ID, any contributions would be gratefully accepted. Thakyou Malcolm.
Had to get the book out but looks like a Marsh Fritillary to me. Quite a variable species but the underwing looks spot on.
Cheers
CHRIS BELL
Thanks Chris, must agree about the underwing, but Im struggling to get a good match for upperwing, it really does pay to look in different id books. Just had a look in yet another and the uppers do come near to it. Thanks very much for you interest and help, I may be posting more I feel in time to come once Ive sorted out the so called slightly easier ones. Malc
A fritillary not marsh not one of the British Frits possible Thor's Fritillary.
Another vote for Marsh Fritillary. There are several races occurring across Europe, the most likely is glaciegenita, which is described as small and dark but not illustrated in the books I have. Was it at altitude?
Martyn
Thanks to Michael and Martyn and yes it was at altitude at the top of one of the passes. I don't have the glaciegenita sp in my book but it does show a fair resemblance to E. a. debilis but I still don't think its that either. Have to go out now, but will look up the glaciegenita when I get back. Thanks to both again Malc
Martin, just finished looking on Matt's European Butterflies website where on the intro write up before you open it it says " Mountain" Marsh Fritillary - debilis (glaciegenita). Opening it up I find varying butterflies all debilis and yes there is a match! just the one in my book just doesn't happen to be a perfect match on the size of the markings, but the main pattern fits. So well done to you and many thanks, I need a bigger better book obviously, more to this butterfly lark than meets the eye!! Cheers Malc