Large Skipper. Photo: Brian Mallard
Brian photographed this Large Skipper on 18/06/18 at Martin Down.
This one is showing the diagnostic markings on the undersides of the fore-wings. Large Skippers fly from June -August in one brood, favouring grassy , bushy places with an abundance of ferns .
Both sexes are strongly attracted to bramble blossom and will often rest and bask on its leaves.
Posted on: 18 June, 2018
Silver Y moth. Photo: Penny Hawes
Silver Y moth. Photo: Penny Hawes
Penny caught up with this beautiful Silver Y moth at Portland Bill on 3/06/18.
The Silver Y is a beautiful moth which at first glance can be mistaken for a Hummingbird Hawkmoth when seen in the day time as both species are fond of the same flowers and often the Silver Y will beat its wings like a humming bird in the same way as the hawkmoth.
It comes to light ,sometimes in large numbers, usually earlier than other moths as it has a well defined feeding flight before sunset.
Posted on: 18 June, 2018
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Martin Wood
This Small Tortoiseshell was found by Martin on 17/06/18 at Longham Lakes.
A lovely fresh specimen would literally shine out when resting on leaves as this one did. Flying from May – October in 2-3 broods this used to be one of our common species but sadly like so many others it is now in decline.
If you want to help this butterfly plant some Sedums and or Michaelmas Daisies in your garden, very easy to grow and needing very little water. They both flower late summer so provide valuable sources of nectar for this old favourite.
Posted on: 18 June, 2018
Common Blue. Photo: Martin Wood
Martin as was Badbury Rings on 6/06/18 in search of a Dark Green Fritillary but the sun wouldn’t shine,so sadly for Martin, no show!
However he spotted this lovely male Common Blue and the light that day makes the blue appear much deeper than other common Blues posted to this gallery recently. Without seeing the undersides, blues can be notoriously difficult to identify, but in the UK, there is no mistaking this butterfly for any other species.
Posted on: 18 June, 2018
White Admiral. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark saw this White Admiral in Piddles Wood on 15/06/18 and says it was almost tame.
It is a very fresh specimen of a striking butterfly whose flight period is mid-June to mid-August in one brood. Usually found on woodland rides or damp clearings, flying in dappled sunlight . It has a diagnostic graceful gliding flight quite different to most other butterflies.
Posted on: 17 June, 2018
Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Harold Gillen
Harold tells us:
Saw on the web site that the Silver-Studded Blues were out. So went and checked my local site on Sandford heath and found 5. What a treat and it is my birthday!
What a great birthday present Harold, so much better than a pair of socks!
This delightful butterfly is found in close-knit colonies, with individuals rarely flying any distance. Most colonies contain less than a thousand adults. However, a few colonies are huge, with the number of adults measured in tens of thousands, providing an amazing spectacle. Most colonies of this species are found in southern England, although there are several other notable colonies in the east of England and Wales. With the exception of a single site at Prees Heath in Shropshire, this butterfly is absent from central and northern England, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Posted on: 17 June, 2018
Dark Green Fritillary. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark spotted this Dark Green Fritillary at Badbury Rings on 6/06/18 .They only emerged a week or so ago in the UK and when the sun shines there should be good numbers to be found.
It favours open grassy flowery slopes, clearings in light woodland, and damp meadows, heaths and moors.
The caterpillar foodplants are Common Dog, Hairy and Marsh Violets and wild pansies.The caterpillar eats the eggshell on hatching and immediately enters hibernation in a curled up leaf or other piece of debris. The larva emerges in the spring and starts to feed on the tenderest new growth of the foodplant, either eating large chunks out of the leaf lobes, or eating the leaf entirely with the stem left standing. It is most active during sunny periods and can often be seen wandering across bare ground or short turf in search of the foodplant. The mature larva has a distinct colouring, being mostly black with a feint yellow band running down its back and a series of red spots running down each side. There are 5 moults in total.
Posted on: 16 June, 2018
Purple-bordered Gold Moth. Photo: Mark Pike.
Who said moths are dull brown? This small moth is listed as ‘scarce’, so Mark did well to find it and get such a great photo. The colouring makes more sense when you see its caterpillar’s foodplant: Marsh Cinquefoil, which is pink with a yellow centre. The plant grows in water or very boggy areas.
Seen at Slop Bog on 13/06/2018.
Posted on: 14 June, 2018
Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Mark Pike
Seen at Slop Bog, Ferndown on 13/06/2018. Slop Bog has its own website if you would like to find out more about this lovely little reserve managed by Dorset Countryside, but with its own volunteer guardians.
Posted on: 14 June, 2018
Painted Lady. Photo: Nicola Maslen.
Nicola spotted this cycling back from Portland on 12/06/2018. The gorgeous pink flower is valerian (centranthus rubra).
We are getting a few Painted Lady sightings reported to this website, mainly along the south coast, but one as far north as Hambledon Hill near Child Okeford. There have been sightings of 11 and 12 butterflies at a time at Portland and Kimmeridge. Let us know if you see one via our sightings page.
Posted on: 13 June, 2018
Meadow Browns mating. Photo: Brian Arnold.
Seen in Durlston Meadows (near Swanage) on 11/06/2018.
It can be easy to confuse Meadow Browns with Gatekeepers, but we have had no Gatekeepers reported to this website yet, though it won’t be long.
Posted on: 13 June, 2018
Small Blue (male). Photo: Brian Arnold.
Brian was lucky enough to see this on the coat path near to the Tilly Whim caves. He says that within just a few yards there were Common Blue, Adonis Blue and Small Blue. What a marvellous site.
The Small Blue is very small, so it is easily overlooked. The male and female are both quite brown on top, though the male does have some blue near the body. They can look silvery in flight.
Posted on: 13 June, 2018
Marbled White. Photo: Paul Cobb.
Paul caught this at Badbury Rings on 11/06/2018. A real sign that summer is here!
Posted on: 12 June, 2018
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: George McCabe.
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: George McCabe
George says:
Spotted 4 Small Tortoiseshells today at the large water pond off Icen Lane, Weymouth, that makes 5 over the weekend. They are so brightly coloured and fresh looking among the thistles you cannot be anything but mesmerized by them, l wasn’t expecting any surprises today [10/06/2018].
Posted on: 12 June, 2018
Ringlet. Photo: Elaine Townsend.
This appears to be the first Ringlet reported to the website this year! Elaine saw it at Badbury Rings, near Wimborne, on 11/06/2018.
Posted on: 12 June, 2018
More photos: Gallery Archive
