Is this a Common Hedge Blue?

Don't know if this is worth mentioning. Was out with my cousin shooting this afternoon when we spotted this butt puddling. He noticed some difference in the wing patterns and as I was in a more favorable position, I took a shot. True enough, there was an elongated black patch on the hindwing. Could this be another variant/form of the Common Hedge Blue? Can somebody please kindly advise. Thanks!!

http://dashwolfe.smugmug.com/Nature/...94_HAE96-L.jpg

I think this may be a kind of aberration known as melanism, which is very common among polyommatines.

This is certainly an aberration. Not sure though whether it can be considered an example of melanism, which means a general increase in dark pigment of all the wings.

TL Seow:cheers:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by atronox

I think this may be a kind of aberration known as melanism, which is very common among polyommatines.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Psyche

This is certainly an aberration. Not sure though whether it can be considered an example of melanism, which means a general increase in dark pigment of all the wings.

TL Seow:cheers:

---

Thanks Aaron & Seow, learned something new again.

QUOTE=atronox: I think this may be a kind of aberration known as melanism, which is very common among polyommatines

Three morphological distinct types of melanism were reported by Dr. Frederik H. Nijhout:

1. A general darkening of the background colour of the wing.
2. A broadening of existing dark pattern elements.
3. A change in colour of most or all pattern elements (e.g. switch from brown (phaeomelanin) to black (eumelanin)).

You are right, Aaron.

Teo T P