Dorset butterfly updates
Thanks to everyone who has sent in butterfly records so far this year – we’ve heard about 1,582 butterflies of 17 species already – and that’s just via the website! We also gather records from: Continue reading
Butterfly numbers still appear to be well up on last year. Continue reading
Kathy Henderson has been keeping a watchful eye on some of the Marsh Fritillary larval webson the Butterfly Conservation Reserve at Alners Gorse
We have had seven reports of a Large Tortoiseshell in Tout Quarry on Portland. To date we are sure there are two individual butterflies. Continue reading
The exceptionally mild weather of the last few days (this is being written on 26 February) has taken our sightings-so-far-this-year to an incredible level. Continue reading
Do you have any interesting or notable butterfly/moth experiences to share with our members? Continue reading
Our Branch AGM is not far away. Would you like to join our Committee? If so, let us know, and we can arrange to suggest you for election at the meeting, or you Continue reading
Dave Law went looking for some Marsh Fritillary nests – and found them! Continue reading
We are delighted that, at the eleventh hour, we have a volunteer to run the results meeting at Wimborne: huge thanks to Stephen Brown for stepping forward. We do, however need help from those who undertake the butterfly monitoring walks in the east Continue reading
Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Peter Salmon
Peter spotted this male Silver-studded Blue while at Bourne Valley NR on 30/06/18.
This delightful butterfly is found in close-knit colonies, with individuals rarely flying any distance.
The newly-emerged larva feeds on the tenderest parts of the foodplant, including young shoots, buds and flowers. The larva is often found in the presence of ants, especially the black ant Lasius niger, which are believed to offer the larva some form of protection against parasites and other predators.