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  • September Thorn Ennomos erosaria Wingspan 30-34mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held at acute angle, creating a leaf-like appearance. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The forewings are yellowish-brown and marked with two dark cross lines: outer third of wing is dusky brown while inner two thirds are yellowish brown. Flies July-October. Larva feeds mainly on birches and oaks. Widespread but commonest in south.
    140807.jpg
  • Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria - male (top row) - female (middle row) - ssp. insula from Scilly (bottom row). Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
    157269.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    145015.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140205.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140157.jpg
  • Wall Brown Lasiommata megera Wingspan 45mm. A well-marked, sun-loving butterfly. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; patterns and colour recall a fritillary butterfly but note the small eyespots on the wings. Double-brooded: flies April–May and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread in England and Wales but declining and now rather scarce; easiest to see on grassy heaths and on coasts.
    115827.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    105171.jpg
  • Wall Brown - Lasiommata megera - eggs. Wingspan 45mm. A well-marked, sun-loving butterfly. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; patterns and colour recall a fritillary butterfly but note the small eyespots on the wings. Double-brooded: flies April–May and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread in England and Wales but declining and now rather scarce; easiest to see on grassy heaths and on coasts.
    157508.jpg
  • The Snout - Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
    157501.jpg
  • Scotch Argus - Erebia aethiops - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 40mm. A hardy butterfly, adapted to cool climates. Adult recalls a broad-winged Ringlet but has rich brown upperwings with an orange band marked with eyespots. Underwings are brown, hindwing with a grey band, forewing with a yellowish band marked with eyespots. Flies July–September but only active in sunshine. Larva feeds on Purple Moor-grass. Local and restricted to northern England and southern and central Scotland. Favours woodland rides and clearings, and moorland where its larval foodplant is common.
    157238.jpg
  • Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus - male (top row) - female (middle and bottom row). Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    157173.jpg
  • Wall Brown - Lasiommata megera - male (top row) - female (middle row) - female in natural pose (bottom row). Wingspan 45mm. A well-marked, sun-loving butterfly. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; patterns and colour recall a fritillary butterfly but note the small eyespots on the wings. Double-brooded: flies April–May and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread in England and Wales but declining and now rather scarce; easiest to see on grassy heaths and on coasts.
    157058.jpg
  • Small Heath - Coenonympha pamphilus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    157056.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    157035.jpg
  • Large White - Pieris brassicae. Male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    156707.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    156644.jpg
  • Large White - Pieris brassicae - Eggs. Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    155189.jpg
  • Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
    145024.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    145017.jpg
  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
    145016.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    144948.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    144947.jpg
  • Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops Wingspan 40mm. A hardy butterfly, adapted to cool climates. Adult recalls a broad-winged Ringlet but has rich brown upperwings with an orange band marked with eyespots. Underwings are brown, hindwing with a grey band, forewing with a yellowish band marked with eyespots. Flies July–September but only active in sunshine. Larva feeds on Purple Moor-grass. Local and restricted to northern England and southern and central Scotland. Favours woodland rides and clearings, and moorland where its larval foodplant is common.
    144760.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    143309.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140994.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140955.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140949.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140947.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140946.jpg
  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140753.jpg
  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140751.jpg
  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140752.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140689.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140663.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140509.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140454.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140453.jpg
  • The Snout Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
    140444.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140443.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140442.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140440.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140438.jpg
  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
    140439.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140405.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140404.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    140368.jpg
  • Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
    140340.jpg
  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
    140315.jpg
  • Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
    140255.jpg
  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140241.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140237.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140236.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140235.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140234.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140232.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140231.jpg
  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140213.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140161.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140160.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140156.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140155.jpg
  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140139.jpg
  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140138.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140111.jpg
  • The Snout Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
    140042.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    137028.jpg
  • Wall Brown Lasiommata megera Wingspan 45mm. A well-marked, sun-loving butterfly. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; patterns and colour recall a fritillary butterfly but note the small eyespots on the wings. Double-brooded: flies April–May and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread in England and Wales but declining and now rather scarce; easiest to see on grassy heaths and on coasts.
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  • Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
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  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
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  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
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  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
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  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
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  • Red Underwing Catocala nupta Wingspan 65-75mm. A large moth that rests with its wings spread flat. The forewing colours and markings are a good match for weathered timber; at rest they conceal the colourful hindwings, but these are revealed as a shock tactic if the moth is alarmed. Adult has grey and brown forewings and black-barred red underwings. Flies August–September. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and fairly common only in southern and central England.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
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  • Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm. A tiny grassland butterfly that invariably rests with its wings closed; upperwings are almost never revealed. Underside of forewing is orange with an eyespot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded: flies May–June and August–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is nocturnal. Widespread but locally common only in southern England; range has contracted because it is restricted to unimproved grassland and does not tolerate modern agricultural practices.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
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  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
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  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
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  • Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops Wingspan 40mm. A hardy butterfly, adapted to cool climates. Adult recalls a broad-winged Ringlet but has rich brown upperwings with an orange band marked with eyespots. Underwings are brown, hindwing with a grey band, forewing with a yellowish band marked with eyespots. Flies July–September but only active in sunshine. Larva feeds on Purple Moor-grass. Local and restricted to northern England and southern and central Scotland. Favours woodland rides and clearings, and moorland where its larval foodplant is common.
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  • Wall Brown Pararge megera Wingspan 45mm. A well-marked, sun-loving butterfly. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; patterns and colour recall a fritillary butterfly but note the small eyespots on the wings. Double-brooded: flies April–May and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread in England and Wales but declining and now rather scarce; easiest to see on grassy heaths and on coasts.
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  • Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Wingspan 45mm. A familiar woodland and hedgerow butterfly that favours sunny glades; fond of basking. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings; underwings are rufous brown with similar pattern to that seen on upperwings. Double-brooded: adults fly April–June and July–September. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread but common only in southern England; local or absent further north and in Ireland.
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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
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  • Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Wingspan 25mm. A colourful butterfly associated with open, grassy habitats. Adult has striking orange upperwings, variably marked with dark brown; underwings have similar pattern to upperwings but grey-buff replaces the dark brown. Has two or three broods: seen on the wing May-September. Larva feeds on Sheep’s Sorrel. Locally common in undisturbed meadows, grassy heaths and sea cliffs.
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  • Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Wingspan 30-35mm. An attractive moth whose wings are held flat at rest creating a narrowly- triangular outline. Adult is rather variable in appearance with variable amounts of red and green. The typical form is green overall with dark cross bands and red patches or lines. In some forms, the red is entirely absent. Flies September-October, and again in spring after hibernation. Larva feeds on oaks and Rowan. Widespread and locally common.
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  • Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis Length 18-20mm. A subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings held in shallow tent-like manner. Adult has greyish forewwings with a powdery look to them; they are marked with pale and dark cross bands, a central eyespot and a white mark on the trailing margin. Flies May-July, with a second brood in the south flying August-September. Colourful larva is brown with white marks and red tufts of hair; feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
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  • Small Wainscot Chortodes pygmina Length 12-15mm. A small autumn-flying moth that rests with its wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown; the veins are darker than the wing ground colour. Flies August-September. Larva feeds inside stems of sedges. Widespread and locally common throughout Britain.
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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
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