[Richard]

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

[jeff]

Richard,

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

meadow brown

[Richard]

Thank Jeff,

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

Richard

[cjay]

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

Colin.

[CJW]

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?imgu...UTF-8%26sa%3DG

[Steve J - Darlo]

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]

It's a double eyed Meadow brown, quote taken from http://www.gardensafari.net/english/...utterflies.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. "

[Richard]

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

[Richard]

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

Richard

[Harry Hussey]

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]

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.

[Richard]

Great - thank you guys.

Richard