J Large Blue lv1 lclilil1ca lriw/ One of the largest blues, with a wingspan of 40-45mm. The upper surfaces of the wings are blue with black border and black spots; the undersides are greyishbrown. heavily dotted with black and suffused with blue, but lacking orange. The extraordinary life-history of this insect is described on p.19. Habitat Rough, flowery places where wild thyme and the correct ant species occur. Status and distribution Became extinct in the UK about 1979, now reintroduced very locally. More widespread on the Con-. tinent, though absent from many lowland and intensively farmed areas. * Alcon Blue M. alcon is similar, but with fewer black spots on the upper surfaces; generally slightly more purplish than the Large Blue. Similar distribution and habitats, on gentians. Adonis Blue /.ys<li/dra I)cll lrglls Similar in size to Chalkhill Blue. In N Europe, the males are very distinctive (though there are similar species further south in Europe), bright turquoise blue, with noticeable black lines through the white fringe; females are brown above with orange marginal spots. Very similar to Chalkhill Blue on the underside. Habitat Warm flowery places on limestone and chalk, usually with short turf, where Horseshoe Vetch occurs. Status and distribution Very local and strongly southern in UK; as Chalkhill on the Season 5-9. Common Blue (below) is probably most similar, though females are likely to be confused with several species. Common Blue P()!Y()l1lJlItllllS icllrifs Slightly smaller than Adonis Blue, with a wingspan of about 35-37mm. Males are bright blue above (less intense than Adonis), with a wholly white fringe. Females very variable above, from brown to almost blue, with orange spots on the margins. Habitat Flowery, sunny places, on a variety of soils. Food-plants include Bird's Foot Trefoil and other legumes. and common throughout; generally the commonest blue. Season 5-9. Duke of Burgundy H ll11earis IlIcilza A small butterfly; wingspan 30mm. Related to the blues but with the markings of a fritillary. The upper surfaces are dark brown spotted with orange; females have much more orange than males. Below, there are 2 prominent white bands on the hindwings. Habitat Open woodland, scrub and rough sheltered grassland where the foodplants, Cowslip or Primrose, occur. Status and distribution Very local and confined to England in UK; widespread on the Continent, becoming commoner southwards from S Scandinavia. Season 5-6 in UK, 5-9 elsewhere. 132 LEPIDOPTERA
Tortoiseshells, Fritillaries and Admirals, Family Nymphalidae A very large family, too broad in character to summarize satisfactorily, but containing many of our largest and most colourful butterflies. Most species, especially males, have only 2 pairs of legs fullydeveloped, with the front pair much reduced and often furry. Purple Emperor A/Jt.ll11fLl iris A beautiful, large butterfly. with a wingspan of 75--85mm (females are larger). The sexes are similar, though the male is a richer purple. visible in certain lights; there is a broad white band across the upper surface of the wings. uninterrupted on the hindwing. Habitat Woodland, where both old trees and Broad-leaved Sallow (the larval food-plant) are present. Status and distribution Local and confined to S England in the UK; more widespread on the Continent, but absent from most of Scandinavia. Season 7--8. * Lesser Purple Emperor A. ilia is slightly smaller. with paler brown (not black) tips to the antennae, and an orange-ringed spot on the forewings. Similar distribution. though less common and more southern. The following two species could be confused with Purple Emperors. White Admiral l.illlcl1ilis c<llilil!<i Similar in general pattern to Purple Emperors. but smaller, 60-65mm wingspan, rather darker, without the purple sheen. There are no orange spots on the hindwings or forewings. A more conspicuous butterfly than the previous two, coming frequently to flowers and gliding around in the sunshine. Habitat Woodland; the food-plant is Honeysuckle, and the adults love Bramble flowers. Status and distribution Local and southern in the UK; widespread on tilt, Continent from S Scandinavia southward, Season 6--8. * Poplar Admiral L populi is as large as ~I Purple Emperor; the hindwings have a dis tinctive orange band near the edge on tlw upper side. and a bluish porder below. Widespread on the Continent, though ral'c in the west. * Camberwell Beauty NY"I/I/J'I/is <lllli"/"1 A large, beautiful and unmistakable species, with a wingspan of 65-70mm. The combination of colours on the upper surfaces rich deep brown, bordered by blue spots and a creamy-yellow margin (paler after hibernation) - is distinctive. Habitat Woodland and open flowery glades - a very mobile species. Food-plants include several willow species and other broad leaved trees. Status and distribution An occasional vagrant to the UK, never establishing. Widespread throughout the though never abundant. Season 3-4 and 6--8. Large Tortoiseshell NYlIlfi/J<I!is /)()!yc!j!,,/'os A large butterfly, with a wingspan of 65 70mm, very reminiscent of the much more familiar Small Tortoiseshell (see p.136) in colouring. though duller orange and with the blue forewing marginal spots greatly reduced or absent - they are very prominent in Small Tortoiseshell. The underwings are pale brown, undistinguished. Habitat Open woodland. glades and rides; the main food-plant is Elm. though many other broad leaved trees may be used. Status and distribution Very rare in the UK. and highly unpredictable; widespread but not common on the Season 2-4 and 6--8, hibernating as adults (and occasionally appearing). See Small Tortoiseshell, p.136. 134 LEPIDOPTERA
Peacock Illachis io A conspicuous, familiar and unmistakable butterfly. with a wingspan of up to 70mm. The upperwings are boldly patterned, with a red-brown ground colour. large blue 'eye-spots' on all 4 wings. and a scalloped edge: the undersides are dark and virtually without pattern. The larvae are black and spiky. gregarious. Habitat In many flowery places, including gardens - a mobile species. The larval foodplant is Stinging Nettle. and common throughout. with strong migrations occurring in some years. Season 3-S and 7-9. overwintering as an adult and occasionally appearing on warm days. Red Admiral Vallcssa alalalll<1 Another large. familiar. unmistakable butterfly. with a wingspan of up to 72mm. Both sexes are similar. with brown velvety wings. each with a scarlet _stripe. and a black-andwhite tip to the forewings. Habitat A mobile species. occurring anywhere there are flowers (or fruit in autumn). including gardens. The larval food-plant is Stinging Nettle. Status and distribution A migratory species. moving in from the south every year and breeding. but few survive the winter. Widespread and generally common throughout. Season S-IO. Painted Lady CYlllhia cardlli A large. distinctive species with wingspan of up to 70mm. Sexes similar. with a ground colour of orange on the upper surfaces, blotched with black. and tipped with black and white on the forewing: forewing underside is similar but paler. but the hindwing has a pale. intricate pattern edged with blue spots. Migrant individuals are generally paler. Habitat Almost anywhere flowery -.1 very mobile species. The food-plants arc' usually thistles. less often nettles. Status and distribution Migrant. mov ing northwards each year. occurrin): throughout the area in variable number~, Season 4-10. Small Tortoiseshell Aglais IIrliwe A familiar medium-sized butterfly. with a wingspan of So-SSmm. Generally tawny. orange above. both wings edged with a line of blue spots; undersides brown. striped paler and edged with blue. Larvae are black and yellow. spiky. and gregarious but much smaller than those of Peacock. Habitat Almost anywhere that there are flowers - a very mobile species. The larval food'plants are Stinging Nettle and Small Nettle. and abundant throughout. Season 3-10. See Large Tortoiseshell Comma (p.134). I'olygollia c-al/j//iii Another distinctive species. with a wingspan of SS-60mm. Upper surfaces of wings tawny and black. rather fritillary-like. but with very ragged edges to the wings producing a distinctive shape. Underneath the wings are dark. but with a conspicuous white 'comma' in the centre of the hindwing - the basis of the English and scientific names. Habitat Open woods, clearings. hedgerows and gardens, but very mobile. The food-plants are Stinging Nettle. Elms and Hop. and generally common throughout. decreasing northwards. where it occurs mainly as a migrant. Absent from Scotland. Season 3-9. but adults hibernate and may be seen occasionally on warm winter days. 136 LEPIDOPTERA
* Map Butterfly Arasclmia I{'/lalla A curious butterfly; the 2 seasonal generations are quite different in appearance. First brood individuals resemble Wall Browns above, though with blue spots on the hindwing; the second generation resemble small White Admirals. Both generations have a striking grid pattern (the 'map') on the undersides. The wingspan of both generations is 3S-40mm. The eggs are laid in strings, hanging below leaves. Map Butterfly, egg strings Habitat Open woodland and scrub. The food-plant is Stinging Nettle. Status and distribution A central European species, extending patchily westwards into France; locally common, and recently spreading. Season 4-9. FRITILLARIES A broadly homogeneous group within the Nymphalids. Virtually all are tawny marked with black, but they vary considerably in size. For many species, on the Continent at least. a view of the underside of the wings is needed for certain identification. Silver-washed Fritillary Arg)'lIl1is paphia A beautiful butterfly, the largest of the fritillaries, with a wingspan of almost BOmmfor the larger females. Upper sides are typical fritillary - tawny, mottled and streaked with black, with males being paler and moi'~ orangey. The undersides are, as the nanh' suggests, washed with silver. Habitat Woodland, where it particularly favours flowery rides and clearings. TIH' food-plants are various violet species, and the eggs are laid on nearby large tree" Status and distribution A south-wesl ern species in the UK, though more wide spread in Ireland. Widespread and locally common on the Dark Green Fritillary Mes()acidalia (Arg)'l1Izis) aglaja Generally similar in appearance to Silver. washed, though smaller, with a wingspan of up to 70mm. The undersides of the hind. wings are greenish, with large white spots. Habitat Flowery, grassy places such ~, down land, dunes and undercliffs, occasion ally heaths; the food-plants al-e various violets. Status and distribution Scattered throughout the UK, rarest in the east; widespread and locally common on the High Brown Fritillary Fabriciana (Argynnisi adippe is very similar to the Dark Green, and is best distinguished by the hind underwing, which has a row of red dots with silver pupils towards the edge; on the forewing underside, Dark Green has a row of distinct white spots which are less distinct in High Brown. More likelyto be seen in woodland than Dark Green, but the two do overlap. Rare, declining and western in UK; widespread, away from cultivated lowlands, on the * Niobe Fritillary F. niobe is very similar, but the hind underwings have strongly marked black veins. Widespread on the Continent, especially in the uplands. 138 LEPIDOPTERA
DO * Queen of Spain Fritillary /ssoria /,II/}(Jllia A medium-sized fritillary; wingspan about 45mm. Hindwing undersides have very large silver spots; overall shape slightly different from comparable fritillaries, with concave edge to forewings. Habitat Flowery grassland and scrub, on violets. throughout except in the UK, but rare and declining in the north and in agricultural lowlands. Migratory, but only rarely reaching the UK. Season 4-9. * Lesser Marbled Fritillary Brenthis ino is similar in size and colour, but has convex margins, more strongly black-fringed; below, the hindwings are marbled with yellow. Widespread on the Continent, but declining, especially in the lowlands. Prefers damp meadows. Pearl-bordered Fritillary C!ossi,lI/(/ (B%ri'l) L'lIfllJroS}'IIL' A medium-sized fritillary, with a wingspan of about 45mm; upper sides typical fritillary-coloured; underside of hindwings boldly marked with yellow and brown, with a large white central patch, and white spots around the border (the 'pearl border'). Habitat Woodland clearings and rides, and flowery pastures. but mainly western, and declining, in the UK; occurs throughout the area on the Continent, though rarely common. Season 5-7. See Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary below. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary C!ossiall<1 (B%ria) sell'l/l' Very similar to Pearl-bordered but slightly smaller. From above, the 2 are hard to separate, but the undersides of the hindwings of this species have many more whit., patches, and the general pattern is bolder and brighter. Habitat In rather damp pastures and woodland clearings, often feeding on Mar's" Violet. Status and distribution Strongly west ern in the UK, though occurring as fa. north as N Scotland; widespread on tile Continent, though declining everywhen' through drainage. Season 5-8, though slightly later thall Pearl-bordered in anyone site. * Weaver's Fritillary C. dia is similar but slightly smaller. The hindwing undersides have 3 large white patches in a row, and small marginal white spots. Open woodland and rough grass, mainly in hilly areas; local. Glanville Fritillary MelitaL'a cillxia Similar to Pearl-bordered in size and in its appearance from above. The undersides of the hindwings are boldly marked, with prominent white and orange alternating bands - distinctive in the UK, but less so on the Habitat Confined in the UK to undercliffsand coastal areas; occurs more generally on the Continent, in flowery pastures. Feeds mainly on plantains. Status and distribution Very rare in the UK, where it is found only on the Isle of Wight and in the Channel Islands; widespread and moderately frequent on the Season 5-6 in UK, 5-9 elsewhere. * Knapweed Fritillary M. phoebe is very similar in size and shape; upper side of hindwings lacks the row of spots found on the Glanville, and underside has orange dots, rather than black dots, in outermost yellow cells. Similar habitats, but more local and southern. 140 l E P r P TE R A