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We have 59 species of butterfly in Britain, of which 30 have been recorded so far at Peartree Green. Overall, butterflies have declined in abundance since the 1970s and several species, including the Small Tortoiseshell, have decreased particularly sharply. Some species have very narrow ecological requirements, for example some Blue butterflies need specific host plants and ant nests in order to complete their life cycle. Here are the species photographed at Peartree Green so far, grouped by family...
Hesperiidae
Skippers (8 British species)
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola
Photo: Ian Watts (July 2022)
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
Photo: Nic Burns (June 2023)
Lycaenidae
Blues, Hairstreaks and Coppers (15 British species)
Chalkhill Blue Lysandra coridon
This species needs both Horseshoe Vetch and ant nests in oder to complete its life cycle
Photo: Ian Watts (June 2023)
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus (male)
Their caterpilars feed on various legume plants
Photo: Nic Burns (May 2022)
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus
Photo: Nic Burns (July 2024)
Small Blue Cupido minimus
This species needs Kidney Vetch to complete its life cycle
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk - in the area of Peartree Green where Kidney Vetch grows)
Brown Argus Aricia agestis
Photo: Nic Burns (September 2023)
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
Photo: Nic Burns (September 2023)
Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi
Photo: Nic Burns (May 2022)
Purple Hairstreak Favonius quercus
Photo: Nic Burns (August 2023)
White-Letter Hairstreak Satyrium-w-album
Photo: Nic Burns (July 2024)
Nymphalidae
Brush-Footed Butterflies (26 British species)
Comma Polygonia c-album
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk)
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
Photo: Nic Burns (June 2023)
Marbled White Melanargia galathea
Photo: Nic Burns
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Photo: Nic Burns (July 2023)
Peacock Aglais io
Photo: Kasia Miadowicz
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Photo: Nic Burns (February 2023)
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Photo: Nic Burns (July 2024)
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
Photo: Nic Burns (June 2021)
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
Photo: Nic Burns (May 2022)
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk)
Pieridae
Whites and Yellows (8 British species)
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
Photo: Nic Burns (April 2023)
Clouded Yellow Colias croceus
Photo: Ian Watts
Green-Veined White Pieris napi (unusually small specimen)
Photo: Nic Burns (September 2023)
Large White Pieris brassicae
Photo: Nic Burns (July 2022)
Small White Pieris rapae
Photo: Nic Burns (April 2023)
Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines
Photo: Nic Burns
Have you seen any butterflies at Peartree Green and would like to share your photos?
(contact us here)
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