
A rather alert mustard butterfly
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A rather alert mustard butterfly
This species of Lepidoptera (of which ID is kindly requested if possible) is one those butterflies which is always on the alert and difficult to photograph since it notice you and flies away before you are within good range for close-up photography. This week I had some luck 

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To me it looks rather like a Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus.
Usually the size is good indicator, pamphilus is aprox the size of a Common Blue, while jurtina is rather the size of o Small White.
Plus, once you have seen both of them together, they do not look that much alike.
As far as I can see (via the internet) they are both common in Malta.
And i agree, it is a very good photo.
haas
Usually the size is good indicator, pamphilus is aprox the size of a Common Blue, while jurtina is rather the size of o Small White.
Plus, once you have seen both of them together, they do not look that much alike.
As far as I can see (via the internet) they are both common in Malta.
And i agree, it is a very good photo.
haas
Haas is right. It is the small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus). Quite a common butterfly. Unfortunately the meadow brown (Maniola jurtina), which was very common and widespread has become very rare over recent years, particularly in Malta (In Gozo it has also declined substantially and is rare, but not as rare as in Malta