I've found some mystery red spots.........no, no, it's not what you're thinking..... I'll start again!
I've noticed that a few of the butterflies that I've photographed recently have some prominent red spots/ swellings on their bodies. I've not seen anything like this in previous years, and after doing some research I'm still no nearer solving the mystery as to what they might be.
Over to you!
Common Blue male taken near Weymouth Dorset on 30th June
Common Blue coupled pair taken in Incombe Hole Buckinghamshire on 22nd July
Common Blue taken on 24th July also in Incombe Hole.
Marbled White taken on 24th July at the base of Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. (not a good photograph but it does show the offending spots!)
8 comments:
I have no idea what they are but they don't look good.
You're right Adrian they do look a bit worrying, I've been doing some more researching again this morning but have still drawn a blank.
No idea on the spots Trevor. Never seen that before.
Maybe an e-mail to butterfly conservation? Might have an answer.
Lovely shots though.
Thanks Keith.
Why didn't I think of that. Doh.
Check this link out Trevor. They are Parasitic Mites.
http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2009/10/parasitic-mites-on-butterflies.html
Thanks for the link Roy.
It's good to know that the Butterflies seem to suffer no ill effects. {:o)
Glad you located an answer Trevor. These Mites also favour male Meadow Brown and Small Skippers.
Thanks Frank. It's a relief to know that these mites seem to have no ill effects on the butterflies. I was also amazed that I had never encountered them before!
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