Red Admiral. Photo: Harold Gillen
Harold was pleased to see three Red Admirals and a Brimstone in his Sandford garden on 15/02/19, all nectaring on his beautiful Clematis Chirrhosa.
This winter flowering Clematis is such a useful winter flowering plant for all pollinators such as butterflies coming out of hibernation as well as the numerous bees that can be seen searching for pollen on sunny winter days.
Posted on: 17 February, 2019
Brimstone. Photo: Penny Hawes
Penny has kicked off our 2019 butterfly season with her photo of a Brimstone which she found at Arne on 14/02/19.
As she commented, a lovely Valentine!
If the weather remains warm, more male Brimstones will be seen on the wing with females usually appearing a little later.
Posted on: 17 February, 2019
Peacock. Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona sent us this photo of a Peacock seen in what she described as a half hearted mating refusal position at Kingston Lacey NT allotments on 13/10/18. Sometimes the abdomen is raised very markedly it can indicate the female has already mated and doesn’t want further attention. However when the abdomen is raised only slightly it may be a sign of receptiveness on her part. Poor males, let’s hope they are good at reading the signals.
Posted on: 10 February, 2019
Common Blue. Photo: Alison Copland
Alison photographed this female Common Blue at Worth Matravers on 6/08/18.
The red mites are trombidium breei, and although they look unpleasant, do not apparently harm the butterfly.They are also found on other species such as Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, and Small Skippers to name a few of long grassland species affected.
Posted on: 10 February, 2019
Brimstone. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark sent us this photo of a Brimstone from Motcombe Meadows which he took on 14/04/18.
This is a species which over winters as an adult, and can be seen on the wing on warm winter’s days when it comes out of hibernation.
Most Brimstones that survive the winter will end their life cycle in Midsummer when new young Brimstones can be seen.
Posted on: 10 February, 2019
Large Skipper. Photo: Alison Copland
Alison spotted this Large Skipper whilst walking around Lytchett Matravers on 20/06/18.
Her photograph clearly show the tiny hooks on the antennae which is a good diagnostic feature for this species.
Posted on: 10 February, 2019
Grizzled Skipper. Photo: John Woodruff
John came across this Grizzled Skipper at Clubman’s Down on 13/05/18 about a week after the first one for 2018 was recorded in Dorset.
Like most skippers, the Grizzled Skipper is extremely difficult to follow when in flight, but will stop to feed from various nectar sources. Once settled, the black and white pattern on the wings, from which this species gets its name, is unmistakable.
Posted on: 5 February, 2019
Brown Argus. Photo: Brian Arnold
Brian saw this Brown Argus while at Ballard Down on 30/07/18.
Unlike most other “blues”,and this species is one, the Brown Argus has no blue scales on its upperside, both sexes being primarily brown in colour as its common name suggests, although the butterfly does exhibit a blue sheen when at certain angles to the light. Both sexes have beautiful orange spots on the upperside of both forewings and hindwings.
Posted on: 5 February, 2019
Pine Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Paul had quite a surprise when he sat down for a break at Lawson’s Clump on 22/08/18 and saw this Pine Hawkmoth caterpillar crawling over his blanket. (more…)
Posted on: 5 February, 2019
Peacock. Photo: Alison Copland
Alison photographed this Peacock at Badbury Rings on 6/07/18.
Her photo shows the amazing eye markings that hopefully deter predators such as dragonflies or birds from attacking it.
Posted on: 5 February, 2019
Painted Lady. Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona spotted this lovely Painted Lady whilst at the National Trust’s Kingston Lacey allotments on 13/10/18.
This is a migrant butterfly sometimes arriving in large numbers though not in 2018. Unfortunately, this species is unable to survive our winter in any stage. This is a real shame as it is a welcome sight as it nectars in gardens throughout the British Isles in late summer.
Posted on: 31 January, 2019
Adonis Blue. Photo: Alison Copland
Alison photographed this Adonis Blue at Fontmell Down on 15/08/18.
The male Adonis Blue has brilliantly-coloured blue wings that gives this butterfly its name, and can be found flying low over vegetation, seeking out the less-conspicuous females that are a rich chocolate brown in colour.
This species has two broods, and this is one of the second generation which is on the wing from the second half of August.
Posted on: 31 January, 2019
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Paul Davidson
If ever we needed a photo to remind us of Summer, today is that day. Freezing cold, and with a real threat of snow, Paul’s beautiful photo of a Small Tortoiseshell which he spotted in Frampton on 15/07/18, ticks all the boxes.
Posted on: 31 January, 2019
Dark Green Fritillary. Photo: Paul Swann
Paul sent us this photo of a Dark Green Fritillary which he saw at Badbury Rings in late June 2018.
The Dark Green Fritillary is the most widespread fritillary found in the British Isles and is a pleasure to see as it flies powerfully over its grassland habitats, frequently stopping to nectar on Thistles and Knapweed. It gets its name from the green hue found on the underside of the hindwings, which are peppered with large silver spots.
Posted on: 31 January, 2019
Red Admiral. Photo: George McCabe
George came across this rather tatty Red Admiral while walking at Littlemoor, Weymouth today, 17/01/19.
He tells us he saw one in the same spot last year, but seven weeks later. (more…)
Posted on: 17 January, 2019
More photos: Gallery Archive
