Advice on UK Brown Argus

[clive]

Hi, I'm not a collector but would greatly appreciate some assistance. I'm interested in UK Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) and understand that there is a Peak District race of this species. Would anybody be able to help me appreciate what differentiates it from the standard form. I've included some pictures of specimens found in North Derbyshire recently.

Thanks in advance.

Attachments:

[irisscientist]

Clive,

The following article:

nora.nerc.ac.uk/7870/1/Butterflies_GB_Ireland_index_biblio.pdf

Lists Williams (1987) "Which Brown Argus?" and Smyllie (1988) "The Brown Argus in Mainland Britain with Further Comments on the Derbyshire Peak District Species", as relevant articles. Both were published in "British Butterfly Conservation Society News", obviously 1987 (v39) and 1988 (v40) volumes respectively. Maybe these articles will contain more details relevant to your hunt for information?

Both of these editions are available from amazon.co.uk, albeit on separate lots:

v38 and v39:
www.amazon.co.uk/British-Butterfly-Conservation-Society-Number/dp/B00I5GURP4

v40 and v41:
www.amazon.co.uk/British-Butterfly-Conservation-Society-Numbers/dp/B00I5GXMZG

Regards,


Mark

[clive]

Thanks Mark, I'll certainly look into getting those articles.

Regards
Clive

[nomad]

Hi, the Brown Argus is certainly a interesting species. I believe recent studies have shown that the Peak District populations belong to Aricia agestis ( Thomas 2010 ).

Peter.

[clive]

Further research lead me to learn that Dr Bill Smyllie is a leading authority on Brown Argus.. here are a few papers he's written discussing the species. Facinating stuff.


Bill Smyllie BA Research.pdf (268.7 KB)
Insect hybridisation and evolution - Bill S....pdf (535.58 KB)