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  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
    144955.jpg
  • Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon Wingspan 28mm. Well-marked butterfly; like other skippers it has an active, buzzing flight. Adult has olive-brown upperwings. Forewing has crescent of pale spots like a paw-print; markings are brighter on females than on males. Flies June–July. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in coastal grassland from Purbeck in Dorset to east Devon.
    144953.jpg
  • Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon Wingspan 28mm. Well-marked butterfly; like other skippers it has an active, buzzing flight. Adult has olive-brown upperwings. Forewing has crescent of pale spots like a paw-print; markings are brighter on females than on males. Flies June–July. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in coastal grassland from Purbeck in Dorset to east Devon.
    144952.jpg
  • High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe Wingspan 60mm. Fast-flying butterfly associated with windswept, open country. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with dark spots; underside of hindwing has brownish scaling. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on violets. Status Scarce and rather endangered, found mainly in W and NW England; favours meadows and open, grassy woodlands.
    144920.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    144919.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    144918.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    144893.jpg
  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
    144886.jpg
  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
    144884.jpg
  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
    144881.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144879.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144878.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144877.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144876.jpg
  • Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria Wingspan 52mm. A colourful and unmistakable moth that holds its wings spread flat at rest; can look rather butterfly-like. Adult has pale yellow wings, the forewing with an angular tip and the hindwing with a short tail streamer. Both wings are marked with brown cross lines, and the hindwing is fringed brown. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on Ivy, Hawthorn and other shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
    144766.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
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    144751.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    143540.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141643.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141401.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141390.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141384.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141383.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141382.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141381.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141379.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141380.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141377.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141378.jpg
  • White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Length 28mm. A distinctive moth. Its striking white colour means it is fairly frequently discovered resting in the daytime with its wings folded in tent-like manner over body. Ault has white wings with numerous small black spots; yellow and black abdomen is hidden by wings at rest. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    141347.jpg
  • Great Prominent Peridea anceps Length 30mm. A subtly marked moth whose colours and patterning are a good match for oak bark. Rests with it wings held in tent-like manner. Adult has marbled brown and grey-brown wings and hairy legs. Flies May–July. Larva is green with diagonal stripes on each segment. Larva feeds on oaks. Locally common only in southern Britain.
    141343.jpg
  • Great Prominent Peridea anceps Length 30mm. A subtly marked moth whose colours and patterning are a good match for oak bark. Rests with it wings held in tent-like manner. Adult has marbled brown and grey-brown wings and hairy legs. Flies May–July. Larva is green with diagonal stripes on each segment. Larva feeds on oaks. Locally common only in southern Britain.
    141336.jpg
  • Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that has furry legs and head end. It usually rests with it wings held in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from bluish-grey to buffish-brown; all colour forms show a broad, darker cross band with a small eyespot outlined in black. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales, and central Scotland.
    141328.jpg
  • Great Prominent Peridea anceps Length 30mm. A subtly marked moth whose colours and patterning are a good match for oak bark. Rests with it wings held in tent-like manner. Adult has marbled brown and grey-brown wings and hairy legs. Flies May–July. Larva is green with diagonal stripes on each segment. Larva feeds on oaks. Locally common only in southern Britain.
    141274.jpg
  • Garden Tiger Arctia caja Wingspan 50-65mm. A stunning and distinctive moth. Usually rests with its wings spread flat, the forewings covering the hindwings. Adult has a variable pattern of brown and white on forewings; if startled, these are spread to reveal the dark-spotted orange hindwings. Flies July–August. Larva is hairy and feeds on a wide range of herbaecous plants. Widespread but these days it is scarce as a garden species; seems to be commonest in coastal areas.
    140992.jpg
  • Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria Wingspan 52mm. A colourful and unmistakable moth that holds its wings spread flat at rest; can look rather butterfly-like. Adult has pale yellow wings, the forewing with an angular tip and the hindwing with a short tail streamer. Both wings are marked with brown cross lines, and the hindwing is fringed brown. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on Ivy, Hawthorn and other shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
    140983.jpg
  • Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis Length 24mm. An appropriately named moth which does indeed have markings on its wings that resemble the number 80. At rest, wings are held wrapped around body. Apart from the white number marking, adult’s forewings are grey-brown. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on Aspen and poplars. Locally common only in southern and central Britain.
    140975.jpg
  • Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana Length 16-18mm. A beautiful and colourful moth that rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has bright green forewings with diagonal white cross lines; typically, the wing margins and legs are flushed red. The hindwings are yellowish in the female and white in the male. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs, notably oaks, birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in central and southern Britain; more local further north.
    140954.jpg
  • Large Skipper Ochlodes venatus Wingspan 34mm. Colourful little butterfly that typically holds its wings angled in a moth-like manner. Adult has dark brown upperwings with pale markings. Underwings are buffish orange with paler spots. Flies June–July. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on various grasses. Common and widespread in England and Wales in a wide range of grassy habitats.
    140948.jpg
  • Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Wingspan 48mm. A distinctively dark grassland butterfly. Adult has sooty-brown wings that are darker in males than females; both upper and lower wings are marked with eyespots but the size and number are variable. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on grasses and is strictly nocturnal. Widespread and fairly common in Britain and Ireland as far north as southern Scotland. Associated with a wide range of grassland habitats.
    140941.jpg
  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
    140940.jpg
  • Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri Wingspan 100mm. A large and stunning moth. Usually rests with its wing held in a tent-like manner over the body but spreads wings when agitated. Adult has forewings that are brown and marked with darker lines and patches, the pattern recalling tree bark. If alarmed it exposes the pink-striped abdomen and pale pink stripes on the hindwing. Flies June–July. Larva is bright green with purple and white diagonal stripes and a dark-tipped ‘horn’ at the tail end. The head is pale, ringed with black. Larva feeds on Privet and Lilac. Widespread and common in central and southern Britain.
    140838.jpg
  • Small White Pieris rapae  Wingspan 45mm. Appreciably smaller than Large White. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with dark tip to forewing; female has two dark spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies April–May and July–August. Larva is green, speckled with tiny pale dots; feeds on cultivated cabbage and related plants. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140788.jpg
  • Straw Underwing Thalpophila matura Length 19-22mm. An aptly-named moth that rests with its forewings held flat, covering the straw-yellow hindwings. Adult has brown forewings with a central pale-bordered, dark cross band and a pale-ringed eyespot. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on a range of grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local further north.
    140786.jpg
  • Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata Wingspan 18-20mm. Colourful and brightly marked little moth. The narrow wings are spread flat at rest with both forewings and hindwings visible. Adult has marbled reddish-brown and slate-grey forewings, and similar zones of colour on hindwings. Flies May–July. Larva feeds within Foxglove flowers. Widespread and common, particularly in south and west.
    140738.jpg
  • Straw Underwing Thalpophila matura Length 19-22mm. An aptly-named moth that rests with its forewings held flat, covering the straw-yellow hindwings. Adult has brown forewings with a central pale-bordered, dark cross band and a pale-ringed eyespot. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on a range of grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local further north.
    140730.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140636.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140635.jpg
  • Small White Pieris rapae  Wingspan 45mm. Appreciably smaller than Large White. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with dark tip to forewing; female has two dark spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies April–May and July–August. Larva is green, speckled with tiny pale dots; feeds on cultivated cabbage and related plants. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140482.jpg
  • Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that has furry legs and head end. It usually rests with it wings held in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from bluish-grey to buffish-brown; all colour forms show a broad, darker cross band with a small eyespot outlined in black. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales, and central Scotland.
    140450.jpg
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