Ringlet (left) and Meadow Brown in mating pose. Photo: Jennifer Bower
Another pair of confused butterflies: perhaps the heat is getting to them! This time it’s a Ringlet (on the left) and a Meadow Brown trying to mate. Unfortunately they are wasting their time, as there will not be any offspring. Spotted by Jennifer on Hod Hill on 01/07/2017.
The red blobs on them are mites called trombidium breei. They do not seem to harm the butterfly. Some species of butterfly are more prone than others – ones that are often seen with red mites are Meadow Brown males; Marbled White; Common Blue and Small Skipper.