Butterfly Monitoring in South and West Wales
As naturalists, we all realise the importance of monitoring wildlife, especially rarer species, which are often localised and isolated from neighbouring populations, making them more vulnerable to local extinctions. Also of importance is to monitor the distribution and population changes in species considered more common, especially in the wake of climate change, which will have a profound impact on our wildlife in future years.
To assist in the Wildlife Trusts monitoring objectives we are asking all members to report sightings of three butterfly species commonly encountered in spring and summer, and include the Orange Tip, Peacock and Speckled Wood.
Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardimines)
Habitat: Wet grassland and meadows, road verges and waterside habitats such as ditches and streams.
Description: Males have vivid orange wing tips, which are lacking in females. Male and female have mottled yellow and black scales on the under-wing which provide excellent camouflage when roosting.
Foodplant: Crucifers, especially cuckoo flower and Garlic Mustard.
Flight Season: March – June
Peacock (Inachis io)
Habitat: Due to its larval foodplant requirements almost all habitats can be used including gardens, woodland rides, grassland and hedgerows.
Description: This recognisable species is identifiable by its spectacular eye spots, which evolved to startle or confuse would be predators and gave way to its common name.
Foodplant: Predominantly common nettle, larvae most conspicuous in June
Flight Season: February - September
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
Habitat: Predominantly woodland rides and glades as well as hedgerows, scrub, parks and gardens.
Description: The butterfly can often be seen in its habitat basking in open sunny areas displaying its characteristic cream spotted upperwings.
Foodplant: Various grasses are used, including false broome, cock’s-foot, Yorkshire fog and common couch.
Flight Season: March - October
To help the Wildlife Trust monitor these species, along with other wildlife in our area, please email us on info@welshwildlife.org with details of when you have seen the butterfly, including the recorder's name, date recorded and grid reference or postcode, which will allow us to to produce a map of findings that will be regularly updated on the website, and presented in the summer issue of the Newsletter.
Thank you for your help.
Butterfly Sightings as of 6 May 2008
map