Butterfly

Chalkhill Blue Butterfly (Lysandra coridon)

Found mainly in the South East of England, on chalk or limestone (calcareous) grassland or downs, where the wild flower “Horseshoe Vetch” is growing in abundance, a native plant essential to the life cycle of the Chalkhill Blue.

Emerging Mid July to late August, the adult Butterflies may be seen on the wing in warm sunshine, in search of females or briefly resting to nectar on wild flowers. During periods of cool or overcast weather, they will often rest-up on or near the top of knapweed, grasses or other tall plant stems.

Paired Chalkhill Blues

Quick Info

Family Group: Lycaenidae.
Subgroup: Lycaeninae.
Wingspan: around 40mm
Caterpillars feed on: Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa).
Adult Nectar Plant: Birds-Foot Trefoil, Knapweed and others.
Photographed: 16th, 18th, 20 July
Location: Barnack Hills and Holes Nature Reserve.

Chalkhill Blue Butterfly (Lysandra coridon) Male on plant stem Barnack hills and holes

Chalkhill Blue Butterfly (Lysandra coridon) Male resting on plant stem

The male has blue upper-wings with white fringes, the female is brown with orange spots. The under-wings are grey to mid brown with black spots.

The Chalkhill Blue is part of the Lycaenidae Group of butterflies, in British Isles this group of species includes:- the “Common Blue”, “Large Blue”, “Green Hairstreak”, and the smallest British butterfly the “Small Blue”, to name but a few.

Chalkhill Blue Butterfly- Female - on grass stem wing open Barnack Hills and Holes

Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) – Female on grass stem

Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)

about

The Glanville Fritillary butterfly is one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, it has slowly seen a decline in numbers since the it was first documented by lady Glanville in the seventeenth century, possibly bought about by loss of suitable habitat and changes in climate

where

Once found as far North as Lincolnshire the Glanville has receded south ward since this time where this Butterfly is now almost only be found in coastal areas in the most southern counties of Britain it may be seen on the wing in June to July.

Despite its decline in the North, butterfly numbers have stabilised where the Glanville can be found locally in coastal areas of Somerset and Hampshire, having a main strong hold on the Isle of White.

Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) resting on Birds-foot Trefoil

It is rumoured there are a number of undocumented sites where the butterfly can be found further inland in Surrey.

Glanville Fritillary (melitaea cinxia) resting with open wings

Butterfly Information

Name: Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
Family Group: Nymphalidae
Size Between: 38-52mm
Habitat: Sheltered Cliffs, South facing Meadows and Downs
When to See: June-July
Caterpillars feed on: Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata).
Adult Nectar Plant: Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatas), Thrift
Photographed: 26th June
Location:

Welcome to Urban Butterfly Garden

Urban Gardens could play an important role in Butterfly Conservation

Gardens can play an important role in increasing the population and spread of some of our native and migrant butterfly species.

We are encouraged to use far less chemicals in the garden, and switch to more organic methods, like composting, and the use of natural fertilizers for our plants and vegetables, these changes can help to create a safer environment for us and our wildlife.

Orange-tip Butterflies may be seen in gardens from early Spring

These planted areas create what is known as a Green Corridor, allowing the movement of butterflies and other insects and wildlife through urban environments.

There are wildlife friendly plants and seed kits available to create a butterfly garden, and give things a great start.

Peacock Butterflies seen in Gardens Spring and Mid Summer

How…

Setting aside an area of the garden how ever big or small, for a selection of easy maintenance Flowers, or Shrubs, like Buddleia, Wild Marjoram (oregano), some Meadow Grasses maybe a few Nettles, will encourage butterflies and moths as well as other beneficial insects like Ladybirds and Hoverflies into the garden.

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)

Common Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)

A fast growing climber, Honeysuckle is seen by many as a traditional garden shrub, often seen in gardens growing up a trellis or trailing over walls and fences.

Honeysuckle flowers generally appear from June-August and vary in colour from creamy white, pink, red and light yellow. They are mainly trumpet shaped, and give off an unmistakable sweet scent, most noticeable late evening and at night.

The flowers are followed by bunches of red berries which ripen in Autumn and are often eaten by wild birds during the winter months.

Native Honeysuckle

Probably the most popular variety of honeysuckle is Lonicera periclymenum (Woodbine) a native species which grows wild in woodlands and hedgerows throughout Europe.

It is deciduous (loses leaves in Autumn) with particularly fragrant light yellow flowers flushed with pink/purple and may grow to a height of 5-6m.In Britain wild honeysuckle can sometimes be seen growing up trees in woodland, spreading amongst hedgerows, and other plants using then for support.

The leaves are grey – green and oval shaped.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) red berries

Common Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) Woodbine in flowering in Woodland, growing amongst Blackthorn and Wild Privet

Honeysuckle for the Garden

Honeysuckles grown specifically for the garden can vary in that, some are deciduous others are evergreen and semi-evergreen. The flowers also can be trumpets or funnel shaped, often forming clusters, although some can occur in pairs depending on the species. Traditionally scented, some Honeysuckles can also have little or no scent, but make up for this with masses of spectacular flowers.

Quick Information

Name: Honeysuckle (Lonicera. Sp)
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Height: May grow up to 5m if supported.
Position: sun or semi shade
Care: Feed or water if needed, prune or shape if required in Winter or Spring
Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is the primary food plant for the caterpillar of a rare British woodland Butterfly the White Admiral (Limenitis camilla).
Photographs: 8th – 15th August 2010

Popular Garden Honeysuckle and Varieties

Honeysuckle ‘Scentsation’
(Lonicera periclymenum)

Lonicera periclymenum, Common Honeysuckle, Woodbine yellow trumpet flowers

Honeysuckle ‘Scentsation’ Lonicera periclymenum

Pale yellow and ivory flowers from midsummer to September, and a powerful sweet perfume, make Honeysuckle ‘Scentsation’ a delightful garden climber. It is a great plant to let trail over a garden wall, or train up a fence or trellis. After flowering the glossy red berries are an attractive food for garden birds in late summer

RHS Perfect for pollinators: Yes
Type: Hardy Shrub
Colour: Pale yellow and Ivory
Flowering Period: July, August, September.
Position: sun or semi shade.
Great For: scented gardens, woodland garden, Fences and Walls

Available in a range of pot sizes from 3 ltrs, for more information find it here at Thompson & Morgan

Honeysuckle ‘Belgica’
(Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle 'Belgica' a colourful flowered sweet scented climber

Honeysuckle ‘Belgica’ a colourful sweet scented climber

A hardy climber Honeysuckle ‘Belgica’ has sweet scented flowers that begin white and gradually turn yellow with rich red streaks. Early Dutch Honeysuckles usually flower early summer and often follow up with a second flush of blooms in late summer, September to October. The glassy red berries that are loved by garden birds.

RHS Perfect for pollinators: Yes
Type: Hardy Shrub.
Colour: white, yellow, red.
Position: sun or semi shade.
Growing and Aftercare: Easy
Soil: Moist, well drained – Most types

Available in a range of pot sizes from 3 ltrs, for more information find it here at Thompson & Morgan

Honeysuckle ‘Halliana’
(Lonicera Japonica)

Lonicera Japonica Halliana (Honeysuckle)

Lonicera Japonica Halliana is an evergreen Honeysuckle that produces masses of creamy white and yellow very fragrant flowers, all spring and summer. Also known as Japanese Honeysuckle, Honeysuckle ‘Halliana’ is a vigorous climber and will rapidly make it’s way up a trellis or wall, plant in the garden near windows or doors to fully appreciate the wonderful scent.

Also known as: Japanese Honeysuckle
Type: Full Hardy climber
Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering: May to September
soil type: Most well drained
Height: 600cm
A great plant for attracting wildlife to your garden

See more information about Honeysuckle ‘Halliana’ Click Here to Visit Jersey Plants Direct

Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’
Lonicera x brownii

Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’

A robust climber with long, red and orange trumpet-shaped flowers that continue to bloom from July through to September. Although unscented, Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ makes up for this with masses of colourful flowers, vigorous growth and semi-evergreen blue-green foliage, ideal for hiding an unsightly area of the garden like a wall or fence, or trailed through a large mature tree.

Type: Hardy shrub
Colour: Orange and red (Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle)
Flowering: July, August, September
Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type: In fertile, moist, free draining soil.
Height and Spread: 4m (13′), 2m (7′).
Ideal For: Wildlife garden, Cottage garden, walls and trellis

For More Information on this climber you can visit Thompson & Morgan Here

Dark Green Fritillary Butterfly (Argynnis aglaja)

Found in most counties of England and Wales the Dark Green Fritillary is the commonest and most wildly spread of all the Fritillary butterflies, even being found in the far north of Scotland and the Orkneys.

It is often found around the coastal dunes, with the largest numbers to the west of the country, when found inland its habitat can include Grassy flower-rich meadows, Downs, Quarries, Open woodland and Embankments.

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)on Red Clover

Information

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)
Family Group: Nymphalidae
Size Around: 45mm
Habitat: Coastal dunes, Grassy flower-rich meadows, Downs, Quarries, Open woodland, Embankments.
When: July – August
Adult Nectar Plant: Red Clover (trifolium pratense), Thistles, Greater Knapweed, Field Scabious, Clustered Bellflower (campanula glomerata)
Caterpillars feed on: Common-dog Violet (viola riviniana), Marsh Violet (Viola palustris).
Photographed: 12th July.

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)

On the wing from July into August the Dark Green Fritillary is a fast and agile butterfly, on sunny days it is always on the move stopping occasionally to nectar or rest to sun bathe on the tallest plant stems.

During periods of prolonged cloud cover or showery weather the butterflies may climb right down in amongst lower grass stems sometimes completely hidden from view, reappearing as if from nowhere when the sun returns.

The Dark Green Fritillary seen from above is similar in appearance to the much rarer High Brown Fritillary, the Dark Green Fritillary having only plain silver spots and a green underside on the hind-wing.

Dark Green Fritillary Butterfly (Argynnis aglaja) Female

Dark Green Fritillary Female

Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui)

A migrant butterfly and regular visitor, the Painted Lady may be found almost anywhere in the UK, arriving each year in varying numbers from a migration that begins in North Africa and continues throughout Europe.

The first Painted Lady butterflies may arrive in the country as early as March, and as the population increases into the summer they will often breed.

The female butterfly lays her eggs mainly on thistle leaves, usually just one per leaf, the success of the new brood relies very much upon dry warm weather in the early stages.

Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui)

Information

Family Group: Nymphalidae – Browns
Subfamily: Nymphalinae.
Status: Migrant.
Habitat: from Gardens to Mountain tops
Caterpillar food plant: Thistles, Common Nettles, Mallows
Adult Nectar plant: Thistles, Knapweed, Ragwort Buddleia.
Wingspan around: 60mm
Photograph: Painted Lady Butterfly feeding on white buddleia davidii- August 09
(record numbers where reported in the south and east of England in summer 2009)

Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) on Knapweed

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) on Knapweed

The number of Painted Lady butterflies reach their peak in August and then fall away over the next couple of months.

Being a wide range migrant, the Painted Lady can be found almost world wide, and has many food sources ranging from Thistles, Knapweed, Vipers Bugloss and various cultivated garden Plants and shrubs like buddleia.

Upper wings are tawny orange with black markings and white spots on the tips. Under wings mottled brown and white with small-eye spots.

Painted lady butterfly strikingly patterned under-wings

Grizzled Skipper Butterfly (Pyrgus malvae)

A small butterfly, with spotted patterned markings of dark brown and white, edged with a white fringe, on the upper-wings, and mostly seen from May to June although in certain years it may be as early as mid April.

The Grizzled Skipper is well camouflaged and sometimes difficult to see it can sometimes be found along with the Dingy Skipper Butterfly (Erynnis tages), and although both butterflies share the same habitat and similar flight times, they do not share the same food plants.

On sunny days Grizzled Skipper Butterflies may be seen basking in the sun, usually up off the ground, choosing to rest on an old knapweed seed head or stems of long grasses.

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

Grizzled Skipper Butterfly (Pyrgus malvae)

Quick Info

Family Group: Hesperiidae – Skippers.
Where: Parts of Southern and Central England and south Wales.
Habitat: Meadows, grassy woodland rides,waste ground although mainly on chalk downland.
When: Flying where found in largest numbers from May-June.
Size: Wingspan 20mm.
Larval Food Plant: Wild Strawberry, Agrimony and Cinquefoils.
Population Status: Due to continued loss of natural habitat the Grizzled Skipper has become a priority species for conservation.
Family Group: Hesperiidae.
Photographed Ketton Quarry Mid May 2011 (Macro)

Brambles, Butterflies and Blackberries

Brambles is often a name referring to the native blackberry bush, a thorny perennial plant that can often be seen growing wild amongst hedgerows and in gardens and woodland. It is able to tolerate even poorest soil types, and if left unchecked, often spreads, covering large areas of ground.

Its distinctive growth of long ‘biennial stems’ also known as Canes, these are covered along their length in sharp spines or thorns. In late Spring/early Summer stems of white petalled flowers appear from the canes attracting many species of butterflies, and other insects like hoverflies and bees.

Comma Butterfly feeding on ripe Blackberries

Comma Butterfly on ripe Blackberries

The blackberry is one of a group of more than 350 different species found around the world, these include raspberries, cranberries and loganberries.

There are also many hybrid varieties available specifically for the garden, some of which like ‘Black Diamond’ and ‘Black Pearl’ even have thorn-less canes.

Bramble Blackberry (Rubus spp.) flowers on bush

As the flower petals fall away first signs of the green fruit begin to appear, growing in size during the summer and turning from red to black when fully ripened in the Autumn.

The blackberries when ripe attract butterflies, wild birds, small mammals and humans, although newly grown plants don’t produce flowers or fruit until their second year.

Ripe and ripening wild Blackberries

Black Medick (Medicago lupulina) Wildflower

A generally common wildflower, with many small yellow oval-round flowers, and trifoliate leaves, (3 leaflets) mostly found on fertile or calcareous soils, in sunny areas on short grazed or cut grassland like garden lawns and verges.

Flowering May-October, each Black Medic plant may have around 40-50 yellow flowers that emerge from the leaf axils of the short stems, which despite their small size, attract many pollinating insects, such as bees, moths and butterflies.

Despite the abundance of small yellow flowers Black Medic gets its name from the small black kidney shaped seeds which can be found late August – September.

Black Medic Wildflower seeds and yellow flowers September

A mixture of the Black Medick seeds and the small yellow flowers seen together around September.

Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) Wildflower with small yellow flowers

Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) small yellow flowers

Black Medic Information

Group: fabaceae (Pea Family)
Type: Annual – perennial
Similar appearance to: Clovers – Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre)
Flowering: May-October
Habitat: Meadows, Tracks, Roadside Verges, Garden Lawns
Height: around 35-50cm
Larval food plant: Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)
Nectar plant: Common Blue butterfly, Brown Argus butterfly, Gatekeeper butterfly, Meadow Brown butterfly, Wood White Butterfly (leptidea sinapis), Moths and Bees
Photograph: 5th September 2012- South Lincs

Meadow Brown Butterfly (Maniola-jurtina)

The Meadow Brown butterfly is probably one of the most common and widespread of all butterflies, seen throughout the UK. On the wing from June – September, it can often be found in many different types of grassy habitat such as, open woodland rides, roadside verges, meadows and even gardens.

This butterflies upper-wings are dark brown with a black eye spot and a band or light orange patch on the fore-wings, these markings are far less prominent on the male which also has a slightly smaller eye-spot.

Meadow Brown Butterfly (Maniola-jurtina) – Female wings open showing upper-side

Quick Info

Name: Meadow Brown (Maniola-jurtina)
Family Group: Nymphalidae, Browns.
When: June to September
Habitat: All kinds of rough grassy places, Meadows, woodland rides, Roadsides Verges, gardens
Wingspan: around 50mm
Adult butterflies feed on: Thistles, Bramble flowers, Knapweed, Common Ragwort, Wild Marjoram, Lavender, Coneflowers (Rudbeckia), Buddleia.
Caterpillars feed on: Cock’s foot and other various grasses.
Photographed – 13th June 2010 – 27th June 2012
Location – South Lincolnshire

Meadow Brown Butterfly (Maniola-jurtina) Wings Closed

The underside of the fore-wing is mainly orange with a black eye-spot while the hind-wing is mottled brown.

During cool weather or as the temperature falls towards sunset, the Meadow Brown will climb down and rest amongst the lower stems of tall grasses.

If disturbed before dusk they will often take flight and may flutter some distance before finding a suitable place to rest again.

Meadow Brown Butterfly – Male

Older Entries

Quick Info

about

where

Butterfly Information

Urban Gardens could play an important role in Butterfly Conservation

How…

Native Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle for the Garden

Quick Information

Popular Garden Honeysuckle and Varieties

Honeysuckle ‘Scentsation’(Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle ‘Belgica’(Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle ‘Halliana’(Lonicera Japonica)

Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’Lonicera x brownii

Information

Information

Quick Info

Black Medic Information

Quick Info

Honeysuckle ‘Scentsation’
(Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle ‘Belgica’
(Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle ‘Halliana’
(Lonicera Japonica)

Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’
Lonicera x brownii