Comma – Polygonia c-album

Our only butterfly with deeply scalloped wing margins; with its wings closed this looks like a dead leaf, but when open it is a spectacular black-speckled orange. The food plant is Common Stinging-nettle.

 Observed in Winsham on February 27^th, and again in July and August. Not all that common, but can still be seen regularly.

Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines - no picture

The herald of spring! The males have bright orange tips to their wings and are unmistakable, the females looks a bit like the Whites, but has a handsome green/white mottling on the underside. Food-plants are Cuckooflower or Jack-by-the-hedge.

 First seen in Winsham on April 6^th this year, with more in later April and May. 

Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta

One of our commonest species, from late May to November – but these are immigrants from the European continent. The food plant is the common Stinging nettle, and the early arrivals produce the second generation we see in summer and autumn. They love Butterfly bushes (Buddleia) and fallen apples.

Seen in Winsham on March 26^th, and every month since to August (so far).

Brimstone – Gonepteryx rhamni

The butterfly that gave butterflies their name: the males are butter-coloured. Females are much paler, almost greenish white. A long-lived species, which can be seen in most months. Food plants are Buckthorn or Alder buckthorn.

First seen in Winsham on February 26^th, seen every month since then so far.

Holly Blue – Celastrina argiolus

Widespread and common, but not easy to distinguish from the Common Blue; the giveaway is that the Common Blue has orange spots on the underside of the wing, and the Holly Blue only black ones. The food plants are Holly (for the spring brood) and Ivy (for the summer brood).

First seen on April 19^th, with more in May, and the occasional second-generation one in July.

This picture was taken by Roger Lawrence in Lime Kiln Lane on the 5th August.

Large White – Pieris brassicae-no picture

Gardeners call this the Cabbage White, and that is one of the favourite food plants of this species; they love Brussels sprouts as well. Can be confused with the Small White, but the Large has more black on the wingtips. The caterpillar is well known to gardeners: green/black spotted, with long yellow stripes all along the body. First seen on April 19^th, with more in May and July.

Small White – Pieris rapae

Smaller than the Large White, and just about as common. This comes in two generations, a spring one and a summer one; food plants are Cabbage, Sprouts and Nasturtiums.

In Winsham, first seen on March 29^th, with more in every month since (so far). One of our common butterflies.

Speckled Wood – Pararge aegeria

Easy to identify, as no other butterfly has these cream or yellow markings on chocolate-brown wings. They mostly sip honeydew, a sticky liquid produced by aphids and scale insects high up in trees; but will come down to feed on flowers, or to bask in the sun. Eggs are laid on various grasses.

In Winsham first seen on April 21^st, with more in May, and later in July.

Painted Lady – Vanessa cardui

A beautiful immigrant that can be rare or absent for several years at a stretch, but is common in some years, including in 2019! Ours come from North Africa in a series of steps: some of ours (the faded ones) are probably straight from Africa, but the fresher ones come from their breeding on the way or even from England itself. In autumn returning migrants have been detected at altitudes of up to 500 metres. The food plant is Thistle.

In Winsham, first seen on June 1^st, then none until August.

Meadow Brown – Maniola jurtina

Very common around our area, and can only be confused with the Gatekeeper (which has more orange on its wings, and two white dots in its wing roundel). It usually flies close to the ground, and its food plants are grasses.

In Winsham first seen on June 15^th, and in every month since (so far).

Silver-washed Fritillary – Argynnis paphia

A butterfly of woodland, whose caterpillars feed only on Common Dog-violets. Not seen every year.  In 2019 it was seen on July 4^th, and only once or twice since.

Small Tortoiseshell – Aglais urticae

Easily identified by the blue-on-black spots along the wingsides. Can be seen in almost any month, though not always outside: they hibernate in sheds and attics! Their food plant is the Common Stinging-nettle.

First seen on March 25^th (apart from one in an attic in January), with only a few more in April and July;

suddenly re-appearing in numbers in early September!

Peacock – Aglais io

Handsome and unmistakable with its large ‘eyes’ or wing roundels; and almost black undersides of wings. They will flick their wings at potential enemies, scaring them off with those sudden flashes of their ‘eyes’. Their food plants are the Common Stinging-nettle.

In Winsham first seen on March 24^th, with more sightings in every month (so far). One of our common butterflies.

Small Copper – Lycaena phlaeas-no picture

A spectacular black-and-orange colour, this is pretty unmistakable. The males are very territorial and will attack any insect coming on their patch. Food plants are Sorrel.

Seen only once this year, on July 20^th.

Gatekeeper – Pyronia tithonus

A small and common species, mostly orange with a darker edge to the wing, and two small white spots in its wing roundel. Food plants are fine-leaved grasses. Also called Hedge Brown: this likes to be by brambly hedgerows, and can often be seen by our cemetery.

 First seen on July 10^th, and from then on very common to the end of August.

Small Skipper – Thymelicus sylvestris-no picture

Very bright orange species could be mistaken for a moth, but the club-end antennae make this a proper butterfly. A real summer species; the food plant is Yorkshire Fog, a common grass. Seen only once this year, on July 28^th.