Butterfly variants and unusual subspecies from Norway

While browsing the Facebook group British Butterfly Aberrations, I remembered that some butterfly variants and an interesting subspecies have been photographed on travels here in Norway, so I decided to search the archive and unearth them again. Instead of letting them slip back into the darkness again I decided to present them collectively here.

Green-veined White (Pieris napi adalwindi) female - Nordland, Norway 24/6-2010

1. Green-veined White Pieris napi female from Reine, Moskenes, Nordland on 24th June 2010 - A dark variant which partially resembles a Dark-veined White Pieris bryoniae from southern Europe. The situation with forms, subspecies or possibly different species is much confused throughout its European range although in northern Fennoscandia where this image is taken, a single brooded 'fuzzy grey' subspecies has been decribed as Pieris napi adalwindi which is what this individual presumably is. Otherwise in Fennoscandia there is also a dark mountain subspecies described as Pieris napi bicolorata.

Silver-studded/Idas Blue male 'missing spots variant' - Vestfold, Norway 30/6-2018 

Silver-studded/Idas Blue male 'missing spots variant' - Vestfold, Norway 30/6-2018

Silver-studded/Idas Blue male - normal individual for comparison

2. Silver-studded/Idas Blue Plebejus argus/idas male from Trollsvannet, Sandefjord, Vestfold, Norway on 30th June 2018 - an individual with many missing spots on the underside and showing abnormal rounded forwings, see first two images and compair with the third image showing a normal individual.

False Heath Fritillary female 'pale variant' - Vestfold, Norway 4/6-18

False Heath Fritillary female 'pale variant' - Vestfold, Norway 4/6-18

False Heath Fritillary female - normal coloured individual for comparison

3. False Heath Fritillary Melitaea diamina female from Merkedammen, Tønsberg, Vestfold, Norway on 4th June 2018 - a very pale individual resembling a Heath Fritillary M. athalia somewhat on the topside but with diagnostic False Heath Fritillary underside. Compare the third image of a normal coloured female with the first two images.

Dark Green Fritillary 'unusual coloured rear wing underside variant' - Vestfold, Norway 3/7-17

Dark Green Fritillary 'unusual coloured rear wing underside variant' - Vestfold, Norway 3/7-17

Dark Green Fritillary - normal coloured individual for comparison

4. Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja from Merkedammen, Tønsberg, Vestfold, Norway on 3rd July 2017 - an individual with unusual white spotting on the underside of the rear wing and also unusual dark wing patern on the upperside. Compare the third image of a normal coloured individual with the first two images.