First of This Year, (& a Special One Too)

Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

This particular specimen was one of three that I encountered at Lochore Meadows this afternoon. I have selected this one to blip because it shows some variation from the usual markings.  This one shows large white spots on the brown of the hindwings just in front of the orange band.

I have checked back over my images from this colony taken in previous years and none show such marks. They are all similar to the other two individuals that I photographed today.  One of those is added as an extra for comparison.