Peacock

Wingspan=60mm
Habitat=Countryside, hedgerows and gardens
Larval Food Plant=Common Nettle
Flight Period=Mar-Sep

Species Description

The Peacock is an incredibly common and widespread  across almost all of England and Wales but is absent from Scotland. The Peacock is one of the commonly seen butterflies in gardens as it likes to feed on garden flowers in adult form. The Peacock is one of the the first butterflies to emerge in the spring.  

Blood-Vein

Wingspan=31-33mm
Habitat=Waysides, hedgerows and gardens
Larval Food Plant=Common Sorrel, Docks and Knotgrass
Flight Period=May-Sep

Species Description

The Blood-Vein is a unmistakable moth that rests with it's wings spread flat. It is widespread and fairly common throughout much of Wales and central England. The Blood-Vein is absent from north of England and Scotland. The Blood-Vein usually at rest during the day but can be seen flying during the day if provocked.

Red Admiral

Wingspan=60mm

Habitat=Open countryside, hedgerows and gardens.
Larval Food Plant=Common Nettle
Flight Period=May-Oct

Species Description

The Red Admiral is a beautiful colourful butterfly. It is a migrating butterfly from S Europe. The Red Admirals numbers vary from year to year. Fortunately most years it has been fairly common and widespread throughout most of England and Wales except in fore in the north. The adult Red Admiral is fond of drinking juices from common garden flowers. If you want to try and encourage Red Admirals to yore garden leave out some rotten fruit. They often drink the juices out of them as well.    

Blotched Emerald

Wingspan=24-28mm

Habitat=Mature oak woodland and gardens.
Larval Food Plant=Oaks and Hazel.
Flight Period=Jun-Jul

Species Description

The Blotched Emerald is a colorful and fairly pretty moth. It is fairly common throughout much of its natural habitats in south and central England. It is also found in Wales but is absent from Scotland. The Blotched Emeralds species is attracted to light. The markings on the Blotched Emeralds wings often make it look like a leaf. 

Painted Lady

Wingspan=60mm

Habitat=Open countryside and gardens.
Larval Food Plant=Thistle
Flight Period=May-Oct

Species Description

The Painted Lady is a beautiful, highly preheated butterfly. The Painted Lady is a migrating species from S Europe and north Africa. The Painted Lady's numbers vary from year too year. You stand a good chance of seeing one as fore most years it has been very common.    

Large Emerald

Wingspan=42mm

Habitat=Woodland, heaths and gardens.
Larval Food Plant=Birches and Hazel.
Flight Period=Jul-Aug

Species Description

The Large Emerald is a stunning fairly large moth. It is a widespread and fairly common moth throughout much of England and Wales. It can also be found throughout Scotland. The Large Emeralds colour is at its brightest when it first emerges from its pupa. Its colour fades as it  flys around as a moth. The Large Emerald is attracted to light and often flys at night but it can be seen flying during daylight hours.   

Small Tortoiseshell

Wingspan=40-45mm

Habitat=Open countryside, hedgerows and gardens.
Larval Food Plant=Common Nettle.
Flight Period=Mar-Oct

Species Description

The Small Tortoiseshell is a stunning beautiful widespread and extremely common butterfly except  in the north. The Small Tortoiseshell was once extremely numerous. Even more common than today. The Small Tortoiseshells numbers where decreased but now they are a common butterfly again. If you want Small Tortoiseshells to come to yore garden leave patches of Common Nettle fore the larvae to feed on. The adults love to feed on butterfly bushes.