Clouded Yellow festival

female Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus

I have been out most days this month in pursuit of the Clouded Yellows which have arrived from the continent in larger numbers than I have seen before. They have been joined by Large and Small Whites, Painted Ladies and huge numbers of Silver Y moths. The Butterfly Conservation managed meadow at Kithurst Hill has been very productive for Clouded Yellows and on the 8th August the white helice form of the female joined a male and female.

Yesterday on the drive up Mill Hill a Clouded Yellow flew in front of the car. I then found a male and female at the bottom of the hill.

I witnessed a male and female come together several times but no mating occurred.

male Clouded Yellows, Colias croceus:

The following 3 are consecutive shots:

female Clouded Yellows, Colias croceus:

white helice form of female Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus: