What’s that butterfly?
Jul
Summer is the perfect season to see butterflies in all their glory. Here’s how to identify our local visitors during the summer months
Common Blue
The male Common Blue has, as you might expect, bright blue wings, and the female is a mixture of brown and blue. Their scientific name is Polommatus icarus; while the first part, polommatus, meaning ‘many spotted’, refers to the patterning on the underside of the wings, the second, icarus, comes from the Greek myth. Escaping the Minotaur’s labyrinth with wings made from feathers and wax, Icarus ignored his father’s warnings not to fly too close to the sun. The heat melted the wax and Icarus fell into the sea.
Peacock
The European Peacock butterfly is one of Britain’s most striking and recognisable species, with its vivid red wings adorned with bold eyespots. These markings deter predators by mimicking the gaze of a larger animal. Peacocks thrive in gardens, woodlands, and meadows, feeding on nectar from buddleia, thistles, and dandelions.
Adults emerge from hibernation in early spring, having spent winter in sheds, tree hollows, or other sheltered spots. They mate in April-May, laying clusters of eggs on stinging nettles, the sole foodplant for their spiny black caterpillars.
By midsummer, the caterpillars pupate into chrysalises, transforming into adults by late July. These new butterflies feed intensely before hibernating in autumn.
Large White
Despite its beauty, the Large White butterfly threatens cabbages, kale and brassicas as its caterpillars devour these crops.
Active April-October, this pest (along with the small white) lays eggs that hatch into hungry larvae. The young overwinter as chrysalises before emerging to continue the cycle. A good gardener willl protect their vegetables from these beautiful but destructive insects.
Pearl-bordered Fritillary
The Pearl-bordered Fritillary, one of Wales’ rarest butterflies, thrives in sunny woodland clearings and coastal habitats. Its orange-and-black wings feature distinctive pearl-edged markings. Caterpillars feed on violets, while adults nectar on bugle and bluebells. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining its declining habitats.
Purple Emperor
The Purple Emperor is one of the UK’s most elusive butterflies, but sightings in Wales are extremely rare.
This striking species, known for the male’s iridescent purple wings, primarily inhabits mature oak woodlands in southern England. In Wales, occasional individuals may appear near the English border (e.g., Monmouthshire), likely as wandering vagrants rather than residents. The lack of extensive, suitable woodland habitat in Wales limits its presence.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving its English strongholds, though climate change may influence future distribution. For now, Welsh butterfly enthusiasts must travel east to reliably encounter this regal insect.
Small Tortiseshell
The Small Tortoiseshell is a familiar garden butterfly in the UK, easily recognised by its vibrant orange wings with black, yellow, and blue markings. Often seen nectaring on buddleia or thistles, it hibernates in sheds and houses. Its caterpillars feed on stinging nettles. Though widespread, numbers fluctuate due to climate change and parasitic wasps. A resilient yet declining favourite.
Gatekeeper
The Gatekeeper, also called the Hedge Brown, is a charming orange-and-brown butterfly commonly seen in Welsh hedgerows and grasslands during summer.
Males have a dark patch on their forewings, while females display more subtle orange markings. Preferring sunny, sheltered spots, they feed on bramble, ragwort, and thistles. Their caterpillars munch on grasses like bents and fescues. They are a familiar sight from July to August.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral is one of the UK’s most striking butterflies, easily recognised by its bold black wings with vivid red bands and white spots.
A strong migrant, it arrives in Wales in summer from Europe and North Africa, thriving in gardens, woodlands, and coastal areas. Adults feed on nectar from buddleia, thistles, and also fallen fruit.
Red Admirals are fast fliers and can even overwinter in mild years, making them a familiar and welcome sight from spring to autumn.
