Lepidoptera Photo Gallery


A few pictures of British Lepidoptera. This is not meant as an identification guide, just a taster of the variety of these beautiful creatures.

Family: Lycaenidae - The Blues, Hairstreaks and Coppers


Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus

Northamptonshire 1998.

Habitat: Open woods, hedges.
Caterpillar food-plant: Holly (spring), Ivy (autumn).
Months active: Adult: Apr-Sep; Caterpillar: May-Sep; Eggs: Apr-Sep; Pupa: Jul-Apr;
Broods: 2.


Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus

Female, Northamptonshire 2001.

Habitat: Any grassy places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Bird's Foot Trefoil, Clover, etc.
Months active: Adult: May-Oct; Caterpillar: Jun-Apr; Eggs: May-Oct; Pupa: Apr-Oct;
Broods: 2-3.

Silver Studded Blue, Plebejus argus

New Forest 1998.

Habitat: Heaths & grassy places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Heather, Gorse. Caterpillars tended by Black Ants.
Months active: Adult: May-Sep; Caterpillar: Apr-Aug; Eggs: Jun-Apr; Pupa: Apr-Sep;
Broods: 1-2.

Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas

Northamptonshire 1997.

Habitat: Rough grassland.
Caterpillar food-plant: Sorrel, Dock.
Months active: Adult: Apr-Oct; Caterpillar: May-Apr; Eggs: May-Oct; Pupa: Apr-Oct;
Broods: 2-3.



Family: Nymphalidae - The Vanessids and Fritillaries


Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Northamptonshire 2000.

Habitat: Flowery places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Stinging Nettles; Hibernates as adult.
Months active: Adult: Jul-Sep, Mar-May; Caterpillar: May-Aug; Eggs: Apr-Aug; Pupa: Jun-Sep;
Broods: 2.



Peacock, Inachis io

Derbyshire 1996.

Habitat: Flowery places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Stinging Nettles; Hibernates as adult.
Months active: Adult: Jul-Sep, Mar-May; Caterpillar: May-Jul; Eggs: Apr-May; Pupa: Jun-Jul.



Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta

Staffordshire 1996.

Habitat: Flowery places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Stinging Nettles; Migrates from Europe each spring, some may over-winter.
Months active: Adult: May-Oct; Caterpillar: Apr-Oct; Eggs: Mar-Sep; Pupa: May-Oct;
Broods: 2.



Painted Lady, Cynthia cardui

Derbyshire 1996.

Habitat: Flowery places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Thistles, sometimes Stinging Nettles; Migrates from North Africa each spring.
Months active: Adult: Apr-Oct; Caterpillar: Apr-Oct; Eggs: Apr-Oct; Pupa: May-Oct;
Broods: 2.


Comma, Polygonia c-album

Derbyshire 1999.

Habitat: Flowery places.
Caterpillar food-plant: Stinging Nettles, Hops; Hibernates as adult.
Months active: Adult: Mar-Sep; Caterpillar: May-Sep; Eggs: Apr-Aug; Pupa: Jun-Sep;
Broods: 2.





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