With the warm (phew!!) weather that we're experiencing at
the moment the butterfly season has well and truly taken off (no pun
intended!). Over the last week I've been out looking at sites where I know that
certain 'target' butterflies can normally be found, I was not disappointed!
Dark Green Fritillary
(argynnis aglaja).......This large bright orange butterfly has a wingspan of
around 63mm (2.5") and can be seen on the wing from June to August. The
markings on the leading edge of the upper forewing appear to loosely resemble
the figures 1338. However, it's the
underside of the wings that give this butterfly it's name with their
considerable shading of dark green scales.
The adult has a liking for purple flowers and nectars on
most species of thistle. It can be found across most parts of the country in a
wide variety of habitats...from unimproved grasslands to coastal areas (especially
where the vegetation has been suppressed by sea spray). It's range however is
being considerably reduced by modern farming practices.
These three images are
of the male....the female is much duller
in colour. unfortunately I didn't manage to capture any images of the one female that briefly flew by!
Silver-washed
Fritillary (argynnis paphia).....This bright orange butterfly is slightly
larger than the Dark Green Fritillary with a wingspan of around 72mm (just
under 3") The male is a brighter orange than the female which has heavier
markings and a greener hind wing. The forewings are slightly hooked at the
outer edge giving the wing a concave profile (compared to the rounded edge of
the other fritillary species)
The male has four prominent dark sex bands across the upper
forewings. Again, it's the underwing that gives this butterfly it's name, with
its diffused wash of mauve and green and four silver flashes.
This strong, sun loving, flyer can be seen soaring along
woodland glades from mid June to late August often flying up and over the tops
of the trees. The female can be seen flying low down around the bases of larger
trees looking for crevices in which to lay her eggs.
The adult can be seen nectaring on its favourite Bramble
flowers but will also use Buddleia and large thistles. It has also been known
to 'sip' the moister from carrion, the mortar from house walls and the tar from
roads. It's range extends across the Southern half of Britain from East Anglia
to Wales and over to Ireland.
These images, again of the male (I didn't see a female!) are
not that good as I had to shoot them over a tangle of brambles with the 100-400
lens at full stretch!!
Marbled White (melanargia
galathea)....A misleading name for this butterfly as it is in fact a member of
the family that is commonly known as 'The Browns'. However, its black and white
markings make this butterfly easily recognisable. The males hind under wings are slightly
tinged with yellow whereas in the female the yellow tinge is rather more
pronounced. It has a wingspan of around 55mm (2 1/4") and can be seen on
the wing from mid June to early August when it patrols up and down over rough
grassy ground in fields or along wide woodland rides and also along roadside
verges, it prefers areas of taller grass. It nectars on a variety of purple
flowering plants such as scabious, thistles and knapweeds. It's range covers
the area of chalk and limestone of southern Britain from Hampshire up through
the midlands to Yorkshire and over to South Wales.
