Two dots on a Meadow Brown? (1 Viewer)

R

Richard

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #1

Hi all!

I think the attached picture is a Meadow Brown. It was taken a few days ago on the Isle of Man.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Meadow Browns can have two white dots in the black spot on the topside and underside of the forewing. I do not have a good picture of the upper wings but I can upload it if necessary. From above it looked like a Meadow Brown save for the two dots.

Thanks

Richard

 

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jeff

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #2

Richard,

Looks like it, here's another site with meadow brown with two dots.

meadow brown

 

R

Richard

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #3

Thank Jeff,

I wonder if a 'two-dot' is a sub-species.

Richard

 

C

cjay

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #4

It is a Gatekeeper. It has two spots on the wing The Meadow Brown does not.

Colin.

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 10, 2003

• #5

Hi Colin, if it is a Gatekeeper it's only the 3rd or 4th manx record - I don't think it is a Gatekeeper myself, the patterning on the hindwing is wrong, it should have 3 white spots and a small pale brown patch 'foreward' of the main pale bar.
I think it's a Meadow Brown, as they can show two white dots like this one:
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...wn+butterfly&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&sa=G

 

Steve J - Darlo

Active member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #6

I go with Meadow Brown the colouring of the hind wing is wrong for gatekeeper.

Meadow browns are seen with the two spot.

Best regards Steve J

 

jeff

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #7

It's a double eyed Meadow brown, quote taken from http://www.gardensafari.net/english/75java.htm?/english/butterflies.htm

"...................... In the summer of 2002 suddenly appeared a Meadow Brown look-a-like with two white dots in the dark masrking on the underside of the wing. For some time we were thinking it could be the Gatekeeper (or Hedge Brown). Albert de Wilde and Tim Cowles killed that dream, alas... It turns out that double eyed Meadow Browns are rather unusual, but they do exist! Just click on "More pictures" in the caption to the photographs below to see what we mean. "

 

R

Richard

Well-known member

• Aug 11, 2003

• #8

Thanks for all the comments. I am at work at present but think it might be worthwhile uploading a picture (later on today) with the wings open a little. I did not think it was a Gatekeeper at the time so hopefully that photo will help.

Richard

 

R

Richard

Well-known member

• Aug 11, 2003

• #9

Here is the same butterfly with its wings partially open - the awkward little beggar refused to open up!

Richard

 

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H

HH75

Well-known member

• Aug 11, 2003

• #10

Hi Richard,
As luck would have it,I had good close views of a Meadow Brown today:it had two white spots within the black spot.
Harry H

 

harry eales

Ancient Entomologist

• Aug 17, 2003

• #11

Hi Richard, your specimen is without doubt a Meadow Brown. M.jurtina. Double spotting is not too uncommon and it happens in many of the satiridae (Brown butterflies). Nice pic though.

 

R

Richard

Well-known member

• Aug 18, 2003

• #12

Great - thank you guys.

Richard