Butterflies at
The Woodland Education Centre

Click on a thumbnail for a larger picture

Brimstone Species:
Distribution:
On the wing:
Larva:

Larval food plants:
General distribution: 		Brimstone. Gonepteryx rhamni
Almost anywhere on the reserve.
February to October. (has been seen in early January)
One generation, hatches in August and adults will hibernate over winter and fly again in February.
Alder Buckthorn and Common Buckthorn.
Localized in Ireland and mainland Britain.
Clouded Yellow Species:
Distribution:
On the wing:
Larva:
Larval food plants:
General distribution: 		Clouded Yellow. Colias crocea.
Open grass areas. (Migrant visitor, very few seen.)
May to September.
One generation which cannot survive English winters.
Clover, Bird`s foot trefoil, Lucerne and Vetches.
Migrants. Could be found anywhere, most common in the south of England and Ireland.
Red Admiral Species:
Distribution:
On the wing:
Larva:
Larval food plants:
General distribution: 		Red Admiral. Vanessa atalanta.
Almost anywhere on the reserve.
May to October. (Population boosted by migrants every year.)
Two generations, second over winter as adults.
Nettle and Hop.
Throughout the British Isles.
Painted Lady Species:
Distribution:
On the wing:
Larva:
Larval food plants:
General distribution: 		Painted Lady. Cynthia cardui.
Almost anywhere on the reserve that is warm and sunny.
Mid May to June and August to September. (A migrant which visits every year.)
One generation which can not survive English winters.
Thistle, Mallow, Burdock and Nettle.
Throughout the British Isles.
Small Tortoiseshell Species:
Distribution:
On the wing:
Larva:
Larval food plants:
General distribution: 		Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae.
Almost anywhere on the reserve.
March to October.
Two generations, adults over winter.
Nettle.
Throughout the British Isles.
Peacock Species:
Distribution:
On the wing:
Larva:
Larval food plants:
General distribution: 		Peacock, Inachis io.
Almost anywhere on the reserve.
March to October.
One generation, adults over winter.
Nettle and Hop.
Throughout Ireland and southern Britain and west Scotland.

Continue

HOME