British Butterflies and Moths (Collins Complete Guides)

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Large copper – Lycaena dispar (Great Britain subspecies extinct; continental subspecies introduced now also extinct) RE

Grasslands are an incredibly valuable habitat for many of the UK’s moths and butterflies. Semi-natural grassland, pasture, arable land, urban parkland and any areas with rough unmanaged grass will all support a variety of butterfly species. In the height of summer these areas can be teeming with Skippers, Common Blues, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. Be sure to inspect any flowering plants (particularly thistles and knapweeds) as these can act as vital nectaring points for many butterflies. Pay close attention for the fast and subtle movements of smaller species as these can often disappear against such a busy environment. A prime example of this is the Small Copper which is notoriously hard to spot due to its minute size, fast flight and discrete colouration (when its wings are closed). LOOK OUT FOR: P. machaon britannicus (endemic subspecies) – confined to Norfolk Broads (formerly also in The Fens) Warren, M.S., Hill, J.K., Thomas, J.A., Asher, J., Fox, R., Huntley, B., Roy, D.B., Telfer, M.G., Jeffcoate, S., Harding, P., Jeffcoate, G., Willis, S.G., Greatorex-Davies, J.N., Moss D. & Thomas, C.D. (2001) Rapid responses of British butterflies to opposing forces of climate and habitat change. Nature 414:65 – 69. doi:10.1038/35102054Our study is the first to establish that there is a direct connection between changes in emergence date and impacts on the habitat range of butterflies and moths. This is because emerging earlier has caused some species to decline in abundance, and we know that species tend only to expand their range when they are doing well.” P. argus cretaceus – formerly on chalk and limestone downland of south and south-east coasts, now restricted to Portland Bill The caterpillars of this large family of insects known as Lepidoptera can vary greatly in size, colour, shape, pattern and behaviour. Even the number, position and type of legs can vary between species and features such as this can help with identification. Caterpillar identification queries

Pyrausta aurata and Pyrausta purpuralis are very similar. It's possible this could be P. purpuralis. P. aegeria tircis – throughout southern third of Great Britain, Scottish Highlands; expanding range north and east in England and Scotland; has colonized Isle of Man Fox, R. and J. Asher, 2010. 2010 Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Butterfly Conservation, East Lulworth, UK. 68p. A moth similar in size and dimensions to the Green Longhorn but dark with a white stripe. The males have very long antennae while the females have shorter antennae.

Hairy caterpillars

In this article we have compiled a short guide on which butterflies you are likely to see outside this spring/summer, as well as some tips on the features by which you can distinguish certain species. Gardens This Introduction to rearing caterpillars and step by step guide on How to rear caterpillars of butterflies and moths has been added in response to the many questions asked. Hairy caterpillars This is a huge moth at aprox 6cm across. Those wings and its shape give me the impression of a cross between a We welcome identification queries but please add information such as location/country and approximate size as outlined in the identification link.

restricted to southern England: east Kent, east Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, north Dorset, south Wiltshire and the southern Chilterns; expanding distribution

They frequent fens, open woodland, heaths and scrubby places, laying their eggs on the bark of the larval foodplants such as goat willow, grey willow and poplars.

Climate change is causing shifts in the distribution of Lepidoptera in Britain 1, with southern species expanding northwards at an increasing rate over the past 50 years 2. Not all have responded equally, however, with habitat specialists, relatively sedentary species and those with decreasing population trends seemingly less able to colonise new areas despite the warmer conditions 3,4. This is a training course from the Field Studies Council, delivered by expert tutors with an approachable learning style. After attending this course, you may like to progress your learning with further relevant courses or branch out into other areas of natural history. The Field Studies Council offers both online and in-person courses, so you can choose the learning style that suits you best. Many moths only fly at night (unless disturbed), but there are a lot of day-flying moth species, in fact there are more day-flying moth species in the UK than there are butterfly species. A lot of these day-flying moths might be mistaken for butterflies. Species include the humming-bird hawkmoths, broad-bodied bee hawkmoths, six-spot burnet and cinnabar moth. Do all moths eat clothes? P. machaon gorganus – rare migrant and occasional breeder from Continental Europe to southern England and southern WalesLarge tortoiseshell – Nymphalis polychloros (now vagrant only, although sightings in southern England since 2007 suggest recolonisation may be occurring) RE Also when it comes to autumn, don’t be too tidy! A lot of moths and butterflies survive the winter by hiding in leaf litter and in amongst ivy on trees either as adults, pupae or eggs. So we should all leave some ‘untidy’ corners in our gardens and some areas of unkempt vegetation. British moth numbers The study shows that we urgently need to conduct ecological research on threatened butterflies such as the High Brown Fritillary, to see if we can manage land in a new way that can help them adapt to the current negative effects of climate change.”