Subject: Butterfly ID
Location: Northern Spain
July 28, 2017 8:44 am
Hi Guy’s,
I took these images in Northern Spain in June but I can’t identify them, can you help.
Signature: Tony Mellor UK
Dear Tony,
Your butterfly images represent multiple families, consequently, we will take them one at a time so as not to create too much confusion in our archiving process. One file was labeled Bath White, and upon researching that, we agree with your identification thanks to this image of Pontia daplidice on UK Butterflies where it states: “This is an extremely scarce immigrant to the British Isles and, in some years, is not seen at all. However, on occasion, it does appear in large numbers, such as the great immigration of 1945. The first specimen was recorded in the British Isles in the late 17th century. Between 1850 and 1939 there were very few records, with only a few years reaching double figures. The exception was 1906 when several hundred were supposedly seen on the cliffs at Durdle Door, Dorset, although these records are considered suspect. The great years for this species, however, were between 1944 and 1950, with over 700 seen in 1945, mostly in Cornwall. This species has been extremely scarce ever since with less than 20 individuals recorded since 1952. It is believed that this species cannot survive our winter although some offspring resulting from the 1945 invasion may have survived into the following year. In the British Isles the species was potentially capable of producing 2 or 3 broods in good years.
The butterfly was originally known as “Vernon’s Half Mourner” after the first recognised capture by William Vernon in Cambridgeshire in May 1702, although earlier records are now known. However, the common name of this butterfly comes from a piece of needlework that figures this species, supposedly showing a specimen taken in or near Bath in 1795, and the name seems to have “stuck”. This species is a rare migrant to the British Isles. Although most records come from the south coast of England, this species has been reported as far north as Lincolnshire and Yorkshire in England, and also in County Wexford, south east Ireland (a record from 1893).”
According to Learn About Butterflies: “Pontia is represented in all continents except North America and Australasia. The most widespread and abundant species is daplidice. It occurs in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, the Canary Islands and over most of Europe. … The butterfly is also recorded as a rare vagrant in southern Britain.”
Daniel thanks for the very detailed reply. I thought it was a bath white but it’s probiscus didn’t look right, it seemed to have a forked growth on it, that’s why u sent it to you.
Regards