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Butterflies in a Wiltshire garden

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2006-08-12 20:27:13 - Graham Ellis

Painted Lady
Seen, sometimes in abundance, in all parts of the British Isles, it is really a native of North Africa where it breeds in such extreme numbers that emigration is a necessity. Thistles are the principle food plant, but it's often seen on other plants such as Burdock, Mallow and Nettle.


Small Tortoiseshell
Generally found in Southern and Midland counties of England. Two broods in the year - one in June, and one in August and September. Food plant - nettle (me thinks we must have a lot of nettles around these parts!)


Comma
Up to the 1920s, the comma had a shrinking range and was more or less confined to the southern Welsh Marches. These days it's much more abundant - I remember being excited finding examples at Petts Wood in my youth, and we've plenty in our garden. We've probably got plenty of nettles around somewhere too, as that's one of its principle food plants.


Red Admiral
Seen on the wing from June through to October. Guess what it's young catapillars eat? You've got it - nettles again!


Peacock
Se in every part of the United Kingdom, though scarcer in Scotland. Food plant... do I even need to tell you?


All photographs taken 12th August 2006, at 404, The Spa, Melksham. We also do a good line in accommodation for visitors to the town and Open Source training courses