The Catalonia region of Spain is well known for having some wonderful butterflies. One of the most beautiful is the stunning Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio machaon. Lieve De Strooper took this great photo of one feeding on zinnia flowers in her … Read More
This scarce, white form of Small Copper Butterfly was photographed on the Lizard Peninsular, Cornwall. It was one of several other Small Coppers nectaring on yarrow, hemp agrimony and fleabane. Earlier in the year Ted Benham sighted a white form … Read More
A Long-tailed Blue butterfly was an unexpected but very welcome recent arrival to our Cornish garden. Being my first Long-tailed Blue in the British Isles I could scarcely believe my eyes when it dived at speed onto a lavender bush … Read More
Several species of butterfly appear to be having a very good year in Cornwall. This mating pair of Brown Argus were two of many seen amongst the dunes at Penhale Sands on the North Cornish coast. The first Common Blues … Read More
Our first Holly Blue of the year was seen in the garden on the 26th March. 6th species of the year – only 52 to go! As so often with this species it stopped only briefly giving little opportunity to … Read More
Only another 53 butterfly species to go! This Speckled Wood seen on the 24th March was my 5th butterfly species of the year. Following overwintering butterflies such as Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone and Comma this Speckled Wood was the first … Read More
A trip to Cabilla Wood, near Bodmin in Cornwall at the weekend to photograph Brimstone Butterflies couldn’t have turned out much better considering it’s still only February. To see over 30 of these stunning butterflies on a walk along the … Read More
The February sunshine encouraged two overwintering Peacock butterflies to sunbath on the path leading down to Kynance Cove in south west Cornwall. Stunning butterflies in an equally beautiful setting. Another Peacock was seen the following day at Flushing on the … Read More
A Small Tortoiseshell found fluttering in the bathroom is my first butterfly of the year. A welcome sight despite the butterfly having been prematurely aroused from its overwintering slumber by the warmth of the central heating. Without any nectaring sources … Read More
Appropriately for the official first day of Summer several butterflies were sighted in the garden in Falmouth, Cornwall. Pairs of Peacock Butterflies and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies were in the mood for courting. A single Comma Butterfly tried to join in … Read More
First butterflies of Spring At last, real signs of Spring! For many of us it’s the first butterflies that mean Spring is really here. At the weekend Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies and Peacock Butterflies were seen both at Porthoustock on the … Read More
A late migrant Painted Lady butterfly was seen nectaring on Red Valerium at Porthallow on the Lizard, Cornwall on the 17th November. Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies were also seen basking in winter sunshine. The nearby sheltered beach of Porthoustock … Read More
Weather continues very hot here in Cornwall. On the coast cooling winds are always welcome. At Trevose Headland on the North Atlantic coast several Dark Green Fritillary Butterflies, Argynnis aglaja, were active along the headland. As were several Hummingbird Hawkmoths. … Read More
The weather may have turned unsettled in south west Cornwall but overwintering Red Admiral butterflies and caterpillars seem to be surviving The occasional Red Admiral butterfly in flight and their caterpillars are now recorded in every month. However, Large White … Read More
Early last year I received a request for a photograph of a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly egg. Nothing unusual there, except this enquiry hadn’t come from either a conservation body, the editor of a natural history publication or an educational … Read More
Several Silver-studded Blue butterfly caterpillars (Plebejus argus) were found on Bird’s-foot Trefoil at the weekend in the sand dunes of Penhale in Cornwall. All were of the green form whereas in past years an almost equal number of the brown … Read More