Overview of the Butterflies of Dorset

OVERVIEW OF THE BUTTERFLIES OF DORSET

An alphabetical listing of the butterflies of Dorset with information about when and where to see them.

Butterfly Conservation: Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP, Tel: 01929 400 209 Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)

Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus

When to see: 1st Brood: Early May to Mid July Peak: Early to Mid June 2nd Brood: Early August to End September. Peak: Mid August to Mid September

Habitat: Sheep-grazed calcareous downland

Where to see: Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Ballard Down, Durlston CP West, Cerne Abbas, Melbury Hill

Foodplants: Horse-shoe Vetch (short)

Behaviour: Patrol

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni

When to see: Peak: End March to Mid-May and Mid-August to End September, but present nearly all year

Habitat: Woodland, downland and lanes

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Purging or Alder Buckthorn

Behaviour: Patrol

Brown Argus Aricia agestis

When to see: 1st brood: End April - Beginning July Peak: End May 2nd brood: End July - End September Peak: End August

Habitat: Mainly Downland, some Woodland

Where to see: Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Townsend Quarry, Cerne Abbas, Avon Heath CP North, Avon CP South, Badbury Rings, Stour Valley

Foodplants: Rock Rose, Storksbill

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol

Brown Hairstreak Thecla Betulae

When to see: End July to Early October. Peak: Mid-August to Mid-September

Habitat: Hedgerows and mixed Oak/Ash woodland.

Where to see: Lydlinch Common, Alners Gorse

Foodplants: Blackthorn

Behaviour: ?

Chalkhill Blue Lysandra coridon

MALE FEMALE

When to see: July to End September. Peak: Mid July to End of August

Habitat: Chalk/limestone downland

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Cerne Abbas, Portland Tout, Badbury Rings, Bindon Hill

Foodplants: Horseshoe Vetch (tall)

Behaviour: Patrol

Clouded Yellow Colias croceus

When to see: Early May to Early June. Mid July to End October. Peak: August and October

Habitat: Flower-rich downland, and near the coast

Where to see: A migrant species that varies in numbers from year to year, but recently found to be breeding on the coast around Bournemouth.

Foodplants: Clovers, Birdsfoot Trefoil

Behaviour: Patrol

Comma Polygonia c-album

When to see: Mid March to Mid May. Early to Mid June. July and Early August. End August to End October. Peak: April, July and September.

Habitat: Lanes, woodland

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Nettles (in hedge), Wych Elm

Behaviour: Perch

Common Blue Polyommatus icarus

MALE FEMALE

When to see: Mid May to Early July. Mid July to Mid September. End September to End October. Peak: June and August to Mid September.

Habitat: Downland, open rough ground

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Girdlers Coppice, Lydlinch Common, Melbury Down, Sovell Down, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Townsend Quarry, Cerne Abbas, Kingcombe Pound, Kingcombe Redholm, Portland Broadcroft, Portland Tout, Powerstock North, Powerstock Railway, Avon Heath CP South, Badbury Rings, Ham Common

Foodplants: Birdsfoot Trefoil, Restharrow

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol

Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja

When to see: Mid June to End August. Peak: July to Mid-August

Habitat: Downland

Where to see: Melbury Down, Ballard Down, Badbury Rings, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West

Foodplants: Dog and Hairy Violet

Behaviour: Patrol

Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages

When to see: April to Early July. Peak: End May - End June

Habitat: Open/rough ground, hillsides

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Melbury Down, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Cerne Abbas, Portland Tout, Lankham Bottom, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants: Birdsfoot Trefoil

Behaviour: Perch

Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina

When to see: Early May to End June. Peak: Mid-May to Mid-June

Habitat: Downland, woodland rides/clearings

Where to see: Private sites only

Foodplants: Cowslips, Primroses

Behaviour: Perch

Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola

When to see: July and August. Peak: End July - Mid-August

Habitat: Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see: Stour Valley, Bere Regis By-pass, Alners Gorse, Hatch Pond

Foodplants: Grass, Cocksfoot, Creeping Soft

Behaviour: Patrol

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus

MALE FEMALE

When to see: Early July to Early September. Peak: Mid July and August

Habitat: Lanes, hedgerows, long grass

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Grass, Meadows, Couch, Fescues

Behaviour: Perch

Grayling Hipparchia semele

When to see: July to End September. Peak: July and August

Habitat: Heathland, some downland

Where to see: Hethfelton Wood, Higher Hyde, Studland, Portland Tout, Ham Common, Upton Heath North, Upton Heath South, Kinson Common

Foodplants: Grass, Fescue, Hair

Behaviour: Patrol

Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi

When to see: Mid April to Early July. Peak: Mid-May to Mid-June

Habitat: Downland, scrubby commons

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Melbury Down, Higher Hyde, Oakers Wood, Studland, Cerne Abbas, Powerstock North, Avon Heath CP North, Avon Heath CP South, Ham Common, Upton Heath North

Foodplants: Gorse, Rock Rose, Broom

Behaviour: Perch

Green-veined White Pieris napi

When to see: April to End September. Peak: May,June and late July to Early September

Habitat: Woodland rides, lanes

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Crucifers, Garlic Mustard

Behaviour: Patrol. Will continue to fly in dull weather if warm.

Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae

When to see: April to June. Peak: Mid-May to early June

Habitat: Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see: Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Cerne Abbas, Lankham Bottom, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants: Wild Strawberry, Creeping Cinquefoil

Behaviour: Perch

Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus

When to see: 1st Brood: End March to Early June.2nd Brood: July to Mid September

Habitat: Lanes, rides, anywhere

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Piddles Wood, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Townsend Quarry, Ham Common, Kinson Common, Stour Valley

Foodplants: 1st Brood: Holly. 2nd Brood: Ivy

Behaviour: Patrol

Large Skipper Ochlodes venata

When to see: June to August. Peak: Mid June to End July

Habitat: Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Grass, Cocksfoot, False Brome

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol

Large White Pieris brassicae

When to see: Mid April to Early July. End July to End September. Peak: Early May to Mid June and August to Mid September

Habitat: Anywhere

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Crucifers, cabbage

Behaviour: Patrol

Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon

When to see: July to Mid September. Peak: August

Habitat: South-facing Purbeck hillsides

Where to see: Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Bindon Hill, Broadcroft Quarry

Foodplants: Grass, Tor Grass

Behaviour: Perch

Marbled White Melanargia galathea

When to see: Mid June to End August. Peak: July to End August

Habitat: Flowery grassland, downland and rough ground.

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Grass, Fescues, Cocksfoot

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol

Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia

When to see: Early May to Mid July. Peak: June

Habitat: Meadows, rough ground, downland

Where to see: Hod Hill, Lydlinch Common, Cerne Abbas, Lankham Bottom, Clubmens Down, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants: Devilsbit Scabious

Behaviour: Patrol

Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina

FEMALE MALE

When to see: Early June to Mid September. Peak: Mid July to End August

Habitat: Lanes, rides, long grass

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Grass, any, not fussy

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol

Orange Tip Anthocaris cardamines

MALE FEMALE

When to see: Late March to June. Occasionally seen in July and August in recent years. Peak: May and Early June.

Habitat: Woodland rides, lanes, meadows

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Fontmell Down, Girdler's Coppice, Hod Hill, Jerry’s Hole, Lydlinch Common, Stubhampton Bottom, Oaker’s Wood, Tadnoll, Townsend Quarry, Brackett's Coppice, Cerne Abbas, Kingcombe Pound, Kingcombe Redholm, Kingcombe Stones, Powerstock North, Powerstock Railway, Garston Wood, Ham Common, Moors Valley CP, Stour Valley

Foodplants: Crucifers, especially Hedge Garlic and Ladies Smock. Larvae feed on the developing seedpods.

Behaviour: Males Patrol

Painted Lady Cynthia cardui

When to see: Early April to Early July. End July to Mid October. Peak: May and June. Early August to End September

Habitat: Anywhere

Where to see: Anywhere (MIGRANT)

Foodplants: Thistle, Mallow

Behaviour: Perch

Peacock Inachis io

When to see: Mid March to Early June. Early July to Mid October. Peak: April to Mid May. August and September

Habitat: Anywhere

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Nettles (mature, full sun/sheltered)

Behaviour: Perch

Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne

When to see: May and June. Peak: Mid May to Mid June

Habitat: Coppice Woodland rides, commons

Where to see: Now sadly believed to be extinct in Dorset; previously found at Piddles Wood and Stubhampton Bottom

Foodplants: Dog Violet

Behaviour: Patrol

Purple Hairstreak Quercusia quercus

When to see: End June to End August. Peak: Mid July to Mid August

Habitat: Mixed Oak/Ash woodland

Where to see: Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Piddles Wood, Kinson Common, Moors Valley CP, Stour Valley, Alners Gorse

Foodplants: Oak

Behaviour: Perch aggressive

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta

When to see: Mid March to End October. Peak: Mid April to End May and Early August to Mid October

Habitat: Anywhere

Where to see: Anywhere (MIGRANT)

Foodplants: Nettles (full sun)

Behaviour: Patrol

Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus

When to see: June to End August. Peak: Mid June to Early August

Habitat: Damp long grass, Bracken

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Lydlinch Common, Melbury Down, Piddles Wood, Sovell Down, Stubhampton Bottom, Ballard Down, Corfe Castle Mound, Higher Hyde, Brackett's Coppice, Cerne Abbas, Kingcombe Stones, Lorton Meadows, Portland Broadcroft, Powerstock Railway, Badbury Rings, Garston Wood, Upton Heath North

Foodplants: Grasses, Tufted Hair, Couch, Meadow

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol

Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma

When to see: Mid July to End September. Peak: Mid August to Early September

Habitat: South-facing, close grazed downland

Where to see: Fontmell Down

Foodplants: Grass, Sheep’s Fescue

Behaviour: Perch

Silver-studded Blue Plebejus argus

MALE FEMALE

When to see: End June to End August. Peak: July

Habitat: Heathland rides/firebreaks or limestone grassland (calcareous)

Where to see: Higher Hyde, Studland, Tadnoll, Portland Broadcroft, Avon Heath CP North, Avon Heath CP South, Sopley Common, Slop Bog

Foodplants: Heathers (mainly Erica tetralix), Gorse, Birdsfoot Trefoil

Behaviour: Patrol

Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia

When to see: End June to End August. Peak: Mid July to Late August

Habitat: Woodland

Where to see: Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Lydlinch Common, Piddles Wood, Stubhampton Bottom, Oaker's Wood, Studland, Brackett's Coppice, Powerstock Railway, Avon Heath CP North, Garston Wood

Foodplants: Dog Violet

Behaviour: Patrol

The Green form, valezina, is also found frequently in Dorset

Small Blue Cupido minimus

When to see: Early May to End June. Mid to End August. Peak: Late May to Late June

Habitat: Downland, short turf calcareous areas

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Durlston CP West, Portland Broadcroft, Bindon Hill

Foodplants: Kidney Vetch

Behaviour: Aggressive/Perch

Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas

When to see: May to Late June. July to Early September. Mid September to End October. Peak: Early May to Early June. Mid July to Mid August. Early October.

Habitat: Downland, open rough ground

Where to see: Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Tadnoll, Townsend Quarry, Kingcombe Redholm, Kingcombe Stones, Lorton Meadows, Portland Perryfields, Avon Heath CP North, Avon Heath CP South, Ham Common, Kinson Common, Moors Valley CP, Pamphill, Sopley Common, Stour Valley, Upton Heath North

Foodplants: Sheep's Sorrel, Dock

Behaviour: Perch

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilous

When to see: Early May to Late July. Early August to Early October. Peak: June to Mid July, and Mid August to Mid September

Habitat: Downland and drier grasslands

Where to see: Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Melbury Down, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Tadnoll, Cerne Abbas, Lorton Meadows, Portland Broadcroft, Powerstock North, Powerstock Railway, Avon Heath CP North, Avon Heath CP South, Badbury Rings, Upton Heath North, Upton Heath South

Foodplants: Generally finer grasses including fescues, bents and Dogs Tail.

Behaviour: Patrol

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene

When to see: End May to Early July. Peak: June

Habitat: Coppice woodland rides, commons

Where to see: Bindon Hill, Stonebarrow Down

Foodplants: Dog Violet

Behaviour: Patrol

Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris

When to see: Early June to Early September

Habitat: Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Grass, Yorkshire Fog

Behaviour: Patrol

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae

When to see: Mid March to End May. Mid June to Early August. Late August to Mid October. Peak: April to Mid May. July. September.

Habitat: Anywhere

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Nettles (young, warm/sheltered)

Behaviour: Perch

Small White Pieris rapae

When to see: April to Early October. Peak: May to Early June, and August to Mid September

Habitat: Anywhere

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Crucifers, including cabbage and Nasturtiums

Behaviour: Patrol

Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria

When to see: Late March to Early October. Peak: Early to Mid May. June to Early July. August and September.

Habitat: Lanes, hedgerows, shady glades

Where to see: Anywhere

Foodplants: Grass, Cocksfoot, Couch

Behaviour: Perch/Aggressive

WALL BROWN Lasiommata megera

When to see: May and June. Early July to Mid September. Late September to Mid October Peak: August to Early September, and Early October

Habitat: Downland and coasts.

Where to see: Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Portland Broadcroft, Portland Tout, Bindon Hill, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants: Grass, Tor, Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog.

Behaviour: Perch/Patrol/Aggressive

White Admiral Ladoga Camilla

When to see: Late June to Late August. Peak: July

Habitat: Woodland

Where to see: Fifehead Wood, Piddles Wood, Stubhampton Bottom, Studland, Garston Wood, Alners Gorse

Foodplants: Honeysuckle

Behaviour: Perch

White-letter Hairstreak Strymonidia w-album

When to see: Late June to End August. Peak: Early July to Early August

Habitat: Flowering Elm Hedgerows

Where to see: Alners Gorse

Foodplants: Elm, Lime

Behaviour: ?

Wood White Leptidea sinapis

When to see: Early May to June. Occasional sightings in August. Peak: Late May to Late June.

Habitat: Woodland rides, clearings

Where to see: Powerstock Railway

Foodplants: Tufted Vetch, Meadow Pea

Behaviour: Patrol