Can you help me ID this moth or butterfly please? (1 Viewer)

[Potton Man]

Hello there, I took the attached picture near Sandford (Oxfordshire), on the Thames on July 16th. As a non-expert using the online resources, the best I can come up with is a Dingy Shell moth, but I'm not very convinced - the wing shape doesn't seem right. Any help gratefully received!

Best wishes,

AlecView attachment 759 - Thames Walk 2021, Day 14, July 16th, unidentified moth or butterfly near Sandford, Oxon.JPG

 

[THE_FERN]

Worn meadow brown. On the left hand wing you can just make out the eye spot

 

[ApusApus]

It looks like a Ringlet Butterfly Aphantopus hyperantus.


Shane

 

[THE_FERN]

That was my first thought too... ...but a ringlet would be a slightly different shade, have multiple spots on the upper surface and have at least an indication of a white fringe to the wing

 

[ApusApus]

I'm favouring Ringlet for the following reasons. I think shading in Ringlets is quite variable ranging from "lightish" brown to dark "slaty" grey brown.

If I look hard enough I can make out 2 dots on the left ups forewing and 1 on the left hindwing? Although unusual, there are Ringlet aberrations where there is no spotting at all, Dorset Butterfly Conservation Group has an example for instance.

I agree the fringing is less than I would expect but there is some degree of it on show and the lack of it could be the result of this being an extremely worn individual.

The overall shape of the wings seems to fit Ringlet better and as does the lack of pronounced "scalloping" on the lower edge of the hindwings.


Shane

 

[Potton Man]

Dear all, many thanks for your replies so far. I know next to nothing about butterflies but I am having great fun playing with my new camera as I walk the Thames Path. I have managed to identify a Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell but this one had me stumped as it didn't have any obvious stand-out features. I hadn't realised that features like rings were subject to fading - is that an age thing, general wear and tear or what?

Many thanks

Alec

 

[InternetMan]

Dear all, many thanks for your replies so far. I know next to nothing about butterflies but I am having great fun playing with my new camera as I walk the Thames Path. I have managed to identify a Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell but this one had me stumped as it didn't have any obvious stand-out features. I hadn't realised that features like rings were subject to fading - is that an age thing, general wear and tear or what?

Many thanks

Alec

Wear and tear which increases with age, bad weather and bird attacks. The patterns are formed by scales, which are easily lost.
Still couldn’t say which your butterfly is, though. Sorry!