Butterfly/ Moth /Dragonfly Images

A very underated plant, that provides an important nectar source.

Today, on the way back from my plot we saw a Holly Blue fluttering around a driveway and couldn't work out what was attracting it until I noticed a single holly leaf lying there.

 

Speckled Wood and first female Orange Tip I've ever seen in my garden!

Nick

 

Female Orange Tip




Male Orange Tip




Green-veined White



Male Brimstone




Peacock

 

Been quite a few sightings of Painted Ladies recently but I've been too busy planting out to go looking. When Mrs Scrungee saw one out dog walking this morning whilst I was potting stuff up, I thought sod it, I'm going for a walk to the wildflower strips near the next village.

Only a few Ox-eye Daisies open and no butterflies there yet, so opened a can of beer and walked back, luckily there was a single Painted Lady feeding on Red Clover flowers along a field margin. Also saw my first Meadow Brown of 2021, but it didn't settle. No sign of Small Heaths there yet.

 

Only just seen my first Painted Lady today in the garden, brief visit and would not open up


Small Skipper on a walk this morning.

 

From May 26th 2020

My first Small Heath seen yesterday, and only a rather tatty one I don't think I'll bother posting. Everything seems weeks behind this year.

Another example, on this day last year the Knapweed was in bloom and covered with masses of Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Skippers, etc., plus Thistles were flowering
14th June 2020 Butterfly and Moth Images This year the first Knapweed and Thistle flower buds are only just appearing and I've only seen one Meadow Brown. Bramble flowers appear at least 3 weeks behind last year.

 

Finally saw my second Meadow Brown of 2021 and it settled (behind a tall stem!).

 

Meadow Brown.



First Marbled White seen this year but very elusive.

 

Small Tortoiseshell sunning itself on my stepladders and a species which I'm not sure about... is it a Small Skipper?

Nick

 

Got it, male Large Skipper!

Large Skipper

Nick

 

I think there's 2 things to look for,

Underwing on Small Skipper is plain (but watch out for backlit Small Skippers with upperwing markings showing through), and underwings on Large Skippers have contrasting colour patches (again being careful it's not backlighting) - can't see underwing on your image.

Antennae on Large Skippers have very pointy ends - like the closest one in your image.


I saw my first Large Skippers on 17th June before the rains started, I was detouring to pass a clump of Red Clover where I hoped to find a Painted Lady, and sure enough one was there but departed as soon as I lifted my camera, consolation was 2 Large Skippers that stayed put on the flowers.

 

Thanks, none of my books even mention that, such a useful distinguishing feature!

Nick

 

Small Skipper.


Green Veined White.

 

Ringlet.




Painted Lady.