Wednesday 14 August 2013

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:




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