Thursday April 11th 2019

Butterfly Species: Brimstone (4) Orange Tip (2) Peacock (2) Speckled Wood (3)


The weather was fine and sunny with a maximum temperature of 11c as I set of along the path today.

The low temperatures were a concern as butterflies need warmth to fly. At this time of year I would have preferred the temperature to be a degree or two higher to stimulate more butterflies into flight. However, the strong sun and sheltered habitat encouraged a number of butterflies to show themselves.

Brimstone Butterfly - Midford 11th April 2019
The male Brimstones were as busy as ever, tacking along the cycleway in search of females and nectar. The former were nowhere to be seen. Female Brimstones are usually later to emerge from hibernation but I would expect to see them at this stage of the season.

Seeing the first Speckled Wood butterflies of the year came as no surprise. These butterflies hibernate as both pupae and larvae. The butterflies emerging now are likely those which over-wintered as pupae. During last years walks I first noted the Speckled Wood on the 26th April and it was observed on 16 of the 21 visits. The last sighting was on the 23rd September.

Female Orange Tip - Midford 11th April 2019
Further along the path I came across a female Orange Tip. These seem to have emerged earlier than last year having first appeared at this location on the 26th April last year. Egg-laying was observed on the 5th May on the flower heads of Garlic Mustard, growing in this same spot at the side of the cycle-path. I wonder where this female will find a food-plant to lay it's eggs! The Garlic Mustard appears to be a good couple of weeks away from flowering!



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