A Different New Species - _TNY_0909
The small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is one of the most common butterflies up here in Sweden in the spring. But this one from Tyresta National Park, was a bit different. My own conclusion was that it was my first shot(s) of a scarce tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas) - but asking someone better at butterflies than me gave me another answer.
The fairly thin black edge plus the light inner edge of the hind wings combined with how the black outer edges of the forewings narrows next to the first spikes and how relatively small the spots on the forewings are point towards this being a large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros), also known as the blackleg tortoiseshell.
This is a fairly new species for the region around Stockholm, but apparently the distribution are is spreading north.
A small tortoiseshell for reference here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50548388308/
A Different New Species - _TNY_0909
The small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is one of the most common butterflies up here in Sweden in the spring. But this one from Tyresta National Park, was a bit different. My own conclusion was that it was my first shot(s) of a scarce tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas) - but asking someone better at butterflies than me gave me another answer.
The fairly thin black edge plus the light inner edge of the hind wings combined with how the black outer edges of the forewings narrows next to the first spikes and how relatively small the spots on the forewings are point towards this being a large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros), also known as the blackleg tortoiseshell.
This is a fairly new species for the region around Stockholm, but apparently the distribution are is spreading north.
A small tortoiseshell for reference here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50548388308/