You are very likely to see these species in gardens, parks and along the canal near Knowle and Dorridge in the summer.
Large White
Our largest white butterfly, with black forewing tips and creamy white undersides to the wings. It is widespread and adaptable, for example in fields of oil seed rape on which it will feed and lay eggs in. Females have two black spots and a dash on each forewing too. Colloquially known as one of the ‘cabbage whites’ for its propensity to lay its eggs on our brassica plants. There are two or three generations each year, with our resident population boosted by migrants from Europe. They can fly at an average of about 10 mph when migrating, feeding en route.
Small White
Similar in appearance to the Large White, the Small White is usually noticeably smaller with the black on the forewing tips being less extensive. The females have two black spots on the underside of the forewings whilst the males only have one. They seem to like white flowers, lavender and nasturtiums for nectaring but will still lay their eggs on brassicas being another ‘cabbage white’. There are two or three generations a year and once again numbers are boosted by migrants from Europe.
Red Admiral
Large and strong flying, with its black with prominent red bands, nothing else in the UK is like it. It is mostly a migratory species from Europe each year but increasing numbers manage to survive our milder winters and you may find them over-wintering in the back of garden sheds and the like. They are often on the wing even as late as November on their trip back to the continent. Migratory females arrive already mated and it is their offspring that we normally see from July onwards, there being only one brood per year. They are very adaptable and widespread from the coast to the mountains in the UK, where it feeds on many flowers including buddleia and also fallen fruit in the autumn. The eggs are laid on common nettles, a food plant of both the adult and the caterpillar.
Peacock
Reddish wings with ‘eye’ spots on both forewing and hind wing and hence unmistakeable. This is a UK resident and will hibernate in trees, sheds, garages or anywhere sheltered from the elements from September onwards, though they are very early on the wing each year. The dark undersides of their wings make them hard to spot in their hibernation locations. Adults flash the ‘eyes’ on their wings and can also rub their forewings and hindwings together to make a noise to deter predators, a hissing sound that even humans can hear. There is generally one brood per year though in good years a second may be produced. The eggs are laid on common nettles, the food plant of both the adult and the caterpillar.
Meadow Brown
One of our most widespread, adaptable and thus abundant butterflies. The male is chocolate brown apart from a small ‘eye’ spot on its forewing whilst the larger female has an orange flash on the forewing. The meadow brown also has only one small white ‘pupil’ in the eye spot, instead of two like the gatekeeper (below). It is relatively slow and low-flying and prefers unimproved grassland but often is active even in dull cool weather. It feeds on a range of wild grasses as an adult and a caterpillar. They can be found in parks, gardens, roadside verges, cemeteries and open areas in woodland. There is only one generation per year but it has a long flight period so you may see very faded and battered examples active until October in most years.
Gatekeeper
This butterfly is often confused with the meadow brown but is smaller and has brighter colouring with areas of orange on the chocolate background plus the distinctive white dots on the underside of the hindwing and the two white ‘pupils’ in the eye spots on the forewings. They are quite sedentary, often resting with their wings open and tend to live in colonies in hedges, scrubby woodland and unimproved grassland where it feeds on the varied grasses. There is only one generation per year which is most active in July and August.
Ringlet
This is another species often confused with the meadow brown but is easily differentiated by its bright yellow-ringed spots on the underside of the wings. They prefer tall and lush grassland, glades around trees or around scrub and hedges. Unmown areas such as Kixley Fields and alongside rural footpaths in the Knowle area are likely places to find them. The eggs are laid in grass where the caterpillars can feed although the adults feed on nectar from bramble, thistles, knapweed and ragwort. There is one brood per year, peaking in July with some going on into August.
Speckled Wood
Chocolate coloured with cream-yellow spots make this an easy species to identify. There are two or three generations a year depending on weather conditions. It is fairly common at woodland edges and clearings, at roadsides and sometimes in gardens, first appearing in April each year, feeding on honeydew. It is the only British butterfly to hibernate as both a chrysalis and as a caterpillar. There are two or three generations per year, with the caterpillars feeding on grasses.
Common Blue
The upper sides of the wings of the male are bright blue, whereas those of the females sre brown with violet near the body. Their flight is usually short and rapid, males being very territorial and chasing off rivals and other butterflies. They can be found on heathland, waste ground, roadsides, golf courses woodland clearings and gardens in small colonies. Eggs tend to be laid on bird’s- foot trefoil or other plants from the pea family. Bird’s- foot trefoil commonly occurs in lawns and parks, thus no-mow May left a bit longer can really help them to produce another generation. Adults also feed on clover, thistles and knapweed. There are generally two broods a year although in good years there can be a third. By the peak of summer there is a chance of confusion with the Holly Blue’s, second generation of the year. The holly blue however has light blue undersides to both wings.