*UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan or UK BAP . These are the most threatened species in the UK, and are either undergoing rapid declines, or have UK populations of European or international importance. In Scotland some of these species might not be declining, but losses in other areas mean that they qualify for UK listing. What action is needed for each species and habitat is determined at a combination of UK, country, regional and local levels. Butterflies an d day-flying The Local Biodiversity Action Plan co-ordinates action to conserve wildlife at the local level. Local action moths of Dumfries & Galloway cannot take place without the enthusiasm of local people, and depends on partnerships between local communities, landowners, businesses, voluntary and public organisations, and the local Council. Contact your local Council to get involved : and Ayrshire www.dumgal.gov.uk/biodiversity . www.ayrshire-jsu.gov.uk/biodiversity_action_plan.html an identification guide

Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity, with nearly 15,000 members and almost 1000 in Scotland. We work closely with the local communities, landowners, the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and other conservation partners to safeguard Scotland’s butterflies and moths and their habitats, by:

Advising landowners on managing land for butterflies and moths.
Carrying out surveys, monitoring and research on our most threatened species.
Training volunteers to enable them to take action for butterflies and moths.
Making recommendations to the Scottish Government on its environmental policies.
Encouraging everyone to cherish and enjoy butterflies and moths. Join us! You can support us in this vital work by joining Butterfly Conservation. With an annual membership you will receive an interesting and informative welcome pack, the exclusive magazine Butterfly three times a year and membership of your local branch of Butterfly Conservation. Our local branches run public butterfly and moth events throughout the year. To join on-line or for further information, please go to www.butterfly-conservation.org. To find out what is going on in your area , go to www.SouthWestScotland-butterflies.org.uk Common Blue

Butterflies and moths are beautiful insects and a joy to Scotland Office observe as well as identify. This guide will help you identify Balallan House 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG all the butterflies and some of the common day-flying moths Tel: 01786 447753 Email: scotland @butterfly-conservation.org www.butte rfly-conservation.org that occur in Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire and Arran.

Butterfly Conservation. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP It also has a chart so you can easily see which species are on Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) the wing at a given time, and suggests some of the best and This leaflet has been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Dumfries and most easily accessible places in the region for you to see them. Galloway Biodiversity Partnership, South Ayrshire Council and Butterfly Conservation South West Scotland Branch. Photographs by: Andrea De Pree, Jim Asher, Jim Black, Louise Collins, Mark Parsons, Martin Warren, Neil Gregory, We hope this leaflet will encourage you to learn more about Paul Kirkland, Paul Pugh, Ramsay Young, Richard Mearns, Scott Shanks and Stuart Graham. Map © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2010 these beautiful insects, and to send us your records.

Printed on 100% recycled paper made from post-consumer waste bc0103 1 2 2 SKIPPERS

1. Dingy Skipper 4. Large Skipper 8. Green-veined White Erynnis tages Ochlodes sylvanus Pieris napi 27-34mm 33-35mm 40-52mm UK Biodiversity Action The Large Skipper is found in Generally this is the most Plan Species (*see back page) areas of tall grassland and is on common species of white to This moth-like butterfly is the wing earlier than the Small be seen in the countryside. perhaps the rarest and most Skipper - from early June until Unlike the two “cabbage threatened in Scotland. Most late July. The caterpillars feed whites” above, the Green- of its sites have plenty of bare on tussock-forming grasses veined White feeds on wild ground and Common Bird’s-foot such as Cock’s-foot. crucifers and is not a garden Trefoil, such as on coastal pest. The green veins on grassland or forestry tracks. YELLOWS & WHITES the underside of the wing Some sites however are in tall, distinguish this from other 3 4 5 5. Clouded Yellow damp grassland, where the white butterflies and moths, Colias croceus caterpillar food plant is Greater but they can fade with wear 57-62mm Bird’s-foot Trefoil. It flies in and are less distinct in second A migrant to the UK from May and June. generation butterflies. One the Continent, this butterfly is of the first butterflies of seen in low numbers in most 2. Small Skipper spring, it flies all summer. Thymelicus sylvestris years, but is known for its mass migrations when it arrives 26-30mm 9. Orange-tip A recent arrival, which in large numbers. It is most frequently seen between May Anthocharis cardamines probably colonised naturally 45-50mm and September along the coast. from northern England. This Males are unmistakable with is a butterfly of rough, grassy their bright orange wing-tips, 6. Large White places, such as field margins, but females have no orange roadside verges and disused Pieris brassicae 63-70mm so could be confused with 6 7 8 railway lines. First recorded in Small or Green-veined Whites. the Lochmaben area in 2006, This is our largest white butterfly and a strong flier. The However, Orange-tips have it could spread quickly along more rounded wing tips and such ‘habitat corridors’ in caterpillars feed on Brassicas such as cabbage and broccoli, distinctive mottled green response to the warming undersides that can be seen climate, and can be seen and are therefore disliked by gardeners. It is distinguishable faintly through the upperwing. on the wing throughout Their distinctive orange eggs July and August. from the Small White by its larger size, darker black wing can be found on the tips extending further down the caterpillars’ food plants - 3. Essex Skipper crucifers such as Cuckoo Thymelicus lineola wing edge, and bolder spots. Flies June to September. Flower, Garlic Mustard, 26-30mm Honesty and Dame’s Violet. This butterfly is very similar Flies mid April to June. to the Small Skipper (you need 7. Small White to check the colour of the Pieris rapae 38-57mm 9 9 9 undersides of the antennae!) and was first recorded in the The caterpillars feed on Dalton/Lockerbie area at Brassicas, but they cause Birkshaw Forest in 2007. less damage than those of the It seems likely that this was Large White. Easily confused an accidental introduction, with the Green-veined White perhaps in hay, as the nearest which is similar in size, but the colonies are in the Midlands. upperside has dark tips to the It can be seen on the wing forewings, and it lacks the throughout July and August. green veins on the underside of the wing. It is one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring and flies all summer. 10 11 12 HAIRSTREAKS AND BLUES

10. Green Hairstreak 13. Small Blue 15. Common Blue Callophrys rubi Cupido minimus Polyommatus icarus 27-34mm 20-30mm 29-36mm Despite the bright green UK Biodiversity Action A widespread butterfly appearance of this small Plan Species found in a variety of grassy butterfly, which always sits The smallest butterfly in habitats almost anywhere with its wings closed, it is often the UK, this dusky-coloured that its caterpillar’s foodplant , difficult to spot. It prefers warm, species is thought to have Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, sheltered sites near woodland become extinct in the area in occurs. The beautiful and or along the scrubby edges of the 1980s. Former colonies brightly-coloured males are moorland and bogs where its were on the coast at Rockcliffe very conspicuous, while caterpillars feed on Blaeberry and Prestwick, where the sole the females are generally 13 13 14 (Bilberry) , Gorse and Ling caterpillar food plant , Kidney blue-brown with distinctive (Heather ). The Green Hairstreak Vetch, still grows in abundance. orange spots. It usually has flies from mid April to June. The day-flying and much more just one generation a year, common Chimney Sweeper the adults flying between 11. Purple Hairstreak moth is rather similar, but the June and September. Neozephyrus quercus Small Blue has a white border 37-39mm extending all around the wing. 16. Holly Blue A striking butterfly, but very Flies mid-May to late June. Celastrina argiolus difficult to see as it feeds on A re-introduction project 30-35mm honeydew in the canopy of oak is being considered. This species has been and other trees. The adult recorded sporadically along butterflies are best looked for in 14. Northern Brown Argus the north Solway coast for late afternoon or early evening Plebeius artaxerxes many years . Check its on warm days when they can 26-35mm silvery-blue underwings for be seen by scanning the tops UK Biodiversity Action identification. Of the blue 14 15 15 of the oak trees with binoculars. Plan Species butterflies it is the most likely Occasionally they fly down to When newly-emerged this one to be seen in gardens or nectar on bramble and other small butterfly has deep, parks, as it is not dependent flowers. The caterpillars feed velvety brown upper wings. on flower-rich grasslands, like only on oak. Flies late July It could be confused with the Common and Small Blues. to mid-September. a female Common Blue, There are two generations which can occur in the same per year and it is on the wing 12. Small Copper habitats, but the pattern on the primarily in April/May and Lycaena phlaeas undersides and the white spot again in August. In early 32-35mm on each forewing distinguish it. spring the caterpillars feed This dainty butterfly is a Colonies can also be found by on Holly, while in the summer widespread species found in searching for its conspicuous Ivy is the main foodplant. a range of habitats, including white eggs laid on the upper gardens. Its caterpillars feed on side of the leaves of its food Common and Sheep’s Sorrel. plant, Common Rock-rose. 15 16 16 The spring and summer broods It occurs mostly on the coast can overlap, so adults can be and along steep, open burn seen from late April to late sides where there is plenty of September, although they are bare ground. Adults fly from rarely abundant. The butterfly early June to August. can often be seen nectaring on Ragwort in the late summer. 17 18 19 VANESSIDS AND FRITILLARIES

17. Red Admiral 20. Peacock 23. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Vanessa atalanta Inachis io Boloria selene 67-72mm 63-69mm 41-44mm A familiar and distinctive An unmistakable butterfly UK Biodiversity Action ‘garden’ butterfly which and a regular garden visitor, Plan Species migrates to the UK every year the Peacock is a very common This species is very similar from southern Europe and butterfly . Often one of the first to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, North Africa. It can breed in butterflies to be seen in the and the only sure way of telling Scotland but rarely survives our spring having overwintered them apart is to get a good look winters. The major influx starts as adults, its summer brood at their undersides. The Small in late May and is reinforced can be seen from July to Pearl-bordered Fritillary occurs until August, with adults being September, in much larger in a wider range of habitats, 20 21 21 seen until November in good numbers. Its caterpillars including damp, flower-rich years. The caterpillars feed feed on the young leaves grassland, woodland clearings on Common Nettle. of Common Nettle . and the edges of bogs and moorlands. The caterpillars 18. Painted Lady 21. Comma feed on Marsh Violet and dog Vanessa cardui Polygonia c-album violets, and the adults fly from 64-70mm 55-60mm May to August. Another migrant, this species An unmistakeable butterfly is unable to over-winter in any with ragged wings. It has 24. Dark Green Fritillary part of the UK and re-colonises spread north from England in Argynnis aglaja each year from mainland recent years and is a distinctive 63-69mm Europe and Africa, sometimes new addition to the butterfly This is a large butterfly that in spectacular numbers , as in fauna of south west Scotland. feeds on dog violets as a 2009 . They can often be seen The caterpillars feed on Elm, caterpillar. It is widespread congregating in areas with Common Nettle and Hop. The and is often found in flower-rich 22 23 24 thistles, which serve as both adults hibernate and emerge habitats with patches of scrub, a foodplant for the caterpillars in early spring, producing a especially along the coast. and a nectar source for the second generation from July It flies from June to August , adults. The peak of immigration to early October. at about the same time as the usually occurs in June, and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary , adults can be seen until 22 . Pearl-bordered Fritillary but is a more powerful flier, is October or November. Boloria euphrosyne much larger , and has a green 41-47mm background to the underside 19. Small Tortoiseshell UK Biodiversity Action of its hind wing. Aglais urticae Plan Species 50-56mm This butterfly is one of the This well-known butterfly can most threatened in the UK, be seen in most months of the and is quite rare in the area, year in almost any habitat. currently only known from The caterpillars feed on the a handful of sites in the south 22 23 24 fresh young leaves of Common east of the region . It occurs Nettle that are growing in sunny in dry, flower-rich habitats in conditions . It over-winters as woodland or plantation an adult and is one of the first clearings , or in grassy areas butterflies to emerge in the spring. with bracken. It is usually found In autumn adults are regularly on south-facing slopes, and found in houses, sheds and needs places with abundant outbuildings seeking hibernation dog violets upon which the sites. It has been much scarcer caterpillars feed . The adults fly in recent years, the reasons for from late April to mid-June. which are being researched. 1 ARRAN 5 Feoch Meadows 8 Knowetop Lochs 10 Mabie Forest Arran has amazing scenery Herb-rich meadow . 1.5 miles Two lochans with surrounding birch Mabie Forest near Dumfries and many great walks. Butterflies (3 km) east of Barrhill village woodland, wetland and moorland. is one of Scotland’s richest and moths that may be seen on the A714, take the rough Near Balmaclellan , park beside sites for butterflies, with over include Green Hairstreak, Small track marked ‘Killantrigan’ for the A712 at NX706788 . Small 20 species being recorded. Pearl-bordered and Dark Green 500 m. There is small car park at Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Scotch It is home to three of the Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Scotch NX263815. The meadow lies Argus, Large Heath, Also good for most endangered butterflies Argus, Grayling, Large Heath, 500m to the north at NX261821. dragonflies . More information at and moths in the UK: the Six-spot Burnet, Cinnabar. Waterproof footwear recommended. www.swt.org.uk Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Dingy Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Skipper and the Forester moth. AYRSHIRE Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 9 Rockcliffe to Other species include Large 2 Stevenston Dunes, Scotch Argus , Large Heath. Port o’ Warren Skipper, Green and Purple Saltcoats More information at A scenic coastal footpath. Hairstreak, Northern Brown The best sand dune system www.swt.org.uk Park off the Colvend to Rockcliffe Argus, Small Pearl-bordered in North Ayrshire. Park by the road (NX851535 ). Dingy and Large and Dark Green Fritillary dunes at NS267409. By bus, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY Skipper, Northern Brown Argus, and Wall Brown. alight at Stevenston Cross, then 6 Torrs Warren Holly Blue, Small Pearl-bordered head down New Street/Station and the Rhins coast and Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling, In 2007 the Forestry Road/Shore Road. By train, Torrs Warren is a coastal plantation Commission and Butterfly alight at Stevenston station and Wall Brown , Forester moth, and dune system south east of Cinnabar , Six-spot Burnet. More Conservation joined forces head down Shore Road to the to create the charity’s largest car park. The Cunninghame Stranraer. Parking is at NX143563 information at www.nts.org.uk nature reserve, and their Cycleway runs past the dunes. off the B7084. Follow forest track second in Scotland. The nature Common Blue, Small Copper, eastward to Ringdoo Point. The 10 Mabie and reserve lies in the centre of Grayling, Six-spot Burnet. nearby military training area should 11 Dalbeattie Forests More information at not be entered if the red flag is (see page across) Mabie Forest, its 100 hectares www.fssbirding.org.uk/ flying. Many parts of the Rhins comprising ancient oak butterflylocationsayrshire.htm coast support a range of butterflies 12 Kirkconnell Flow woodland, wetlands and and moths, and have good access, National Nature Reserve grassland. Interpretation boards through the reserve 3 Gailes Marsh, Irvine e.g. Portpatrick (NX000537) , Mull Raised bog and pine/birch help visitors to get the most Herb-rich, sandy, grassland and of Galloway (NX155305 ). Dingy woodland . 5 miles (8 km) south from their visit. The reserve is well-vegetated pond sheltered Skipper, Small Pearl-bordered and of Dumfries, signed off the A710 also a haven for other wildlife by conifers . Adjacent to the golf Dark Green Fritillary , Large Skipper, road NX963702. Bus runs hourly such as dragonflies, bats courses to the south of Irvine Northern Brown Argus, Grayling, from Dumfries to New Abbey but and red squirrels. and reached via Marine Drive. Wall Brown , Six-spot Burnet, infrequent on Sundays. Green Park beside the track by the field Mother Shipton , Cinnabar, Speckled Hairstreak and Large Heath, with gate at NS323360 and enter by Yellow, More information at Car park, toilets and a Wall Brown frequenting the car the reserve sign 250m along the www.forestry.gov.uk (Torrs Warren) picnic area are located at park. More information at cycle-path. Common Blue, Small the entrance off the A710 www.snh.org.uk Copper, Dark Green Fritillary, 7 Cree Valley Woodlands south west of Dumfries Grayling, Cinnabar, Six-spot and Glen Trool (NX950710). 13 Earshaig to Mosshope Burnet . More information at Upland glen with a mix of conifer Car park at Earshaig (NT050024) www.swt.org.uk plantations and ancient oak woods . on the road west of Beattock . 11 Dalbeattie Forest North of Newton Stewart and east also has a good variety This walk leads through a conifer 4 South Ayrshire coast of Glentrool Village. Several car of wildlife, including some plantation , but the ride is wide A very rich stretch of coastline parks: Glen Trool visitor centre important butterflies. It has due to a gas pipeline. Large between Glen App and Girvan. (NX372785); Knockman Wood a good colony of Dingy Skipper, Small Pearl-bordered Steep-sided gulleys, limestone (NX40867 3); Wood of Cree Skipper on the forest tracks grassland and cliffs requiring and Dark Green Fritillary , Scotch (NX381708); Buchan and Glenhead where Common Bird’s-foot care. Dingy and Large Skipper, Argus. More information at woods (NX415804). Purple Trefoil grows (NX865569). Northern Brown Argus, Wall www.southernuplandway.gov.uk Hairstreak, Small Pearl-bordered Leave Dalbeattie on the Brown, Grayling, Six-spot Burnet, and Dark Green Fritillaries, Scotch Cinnabar , Speckled Yellow. A710, heading south towards Argus . More information at Good sites are Shallochwreck Colvend. All forest walks www.creevalley.com Burn/Currarie Port (park beside start from the 'Town Wood' the farm track at NX 063770); car park at NX837600 More information on both sites is at www.forestry.gov.u k/scotland Bennane Lea (park on the old (which is the first car park (search on Mabie or Dalbeattie), or contact Forestry Commission Scotland A77 at NX092859); and Pinbain N.B . This information has been provided in good faith from on the left). on 01387 860247. Burn (park at NX138915). Busses a variety of sources, and Butterfly Conservation Scotland run between Girvan and Glen Dingy and Large Skipper, App. More information at cannot be responsible for errors etc. For information on Pearl-bordered, Small Access www.fssbirding.org.uk/ public transport go to www.travelinescotland.com Pearl-bordered and Dark Please follow the Outdoor Access Code when visiting butterflylocationsayrshire.htm Green Fritillary, Wall Brown. sites: www.outdooraccess-scotland.com 25 26 26 BROWNS

25. Speckled Wood 28. Grayling 31. Large Heath Pararge aegeria Hipparchia semele Coenonympha tullia 47-50mm 55-60mm 35-40mm A butterfly of woodlands, UK Biodiversity Action UK Biodiversity Action this species is spreading within Plan Species Plan Species the region . It has been found The Grayling needs warm, The Large Heath is restricted at sites on and near the Solway sunny sites with bare ground to wet, boggy habitats where coast, along the Ayrshire coast and fine-leaved grasses, upon Hare’s-tail Cottongrass , its main around Culzean, and on Arran. which the caterpillars feed. Its foodplant , grows . It always rests Males are often seen perched natural habitats include coastal with its wings closed, but can in sunlit spots ready to defend cliffs, dunes and heaths, but be distinguished from the Small their territory or intercept it has been able to colonise Heath by its duller colour and 27 27 28 females, and they are on the many ‘brownfield’ sites , such larger size. It often has prominent wing from late April to late as old quarries and railway spots on the hindwing, but they October. The caterpillars lines. The adult butterflies can are not always present. Flies feed on various grasses. be hard to see at rest due to from early June to mid-August. their superb camouflage, and 26. Wall Brown are on the wing from late June 32. Ringlet Lasiommata megera to early September. Aphantopus hyperantus 44-46mm 48-52mm UK Biodiversity Action 29. Meadow Brown The Ringlet has a very dark, Plan Species Maniola jurtina velvety appearance and a Found along the Solway 50-55mm white ‘fringe’ to its wings and Ayrshire coasts, this The Meadow Brown can be when newly emerged. The is a species which requires seen in a variety of flower-rich ‘ringlets’ on the under-wings grasslands with patches grassland habitats, often in vary in number and size of bare ground for breeding. large numbers. The caterpillars and can be virtually absent. 29 29 30 It is quite common where feed on a variety of grasses. It favours tall, damp grassland, it occurs, but has recently Males tend to be darker than where the caterpillars feed undergone massive declines females, but the amount of on a variety of grasses. It flies, over most of England. It is orange on both is variable. even in dull conditions, from on the wing in May and A strong flier, it is on the late June to August, and can June , and again, in greater wing from late June to be very common . numbers, in August and early early September. September. The caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses. 30. Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 27. Scotch Argus 34-38mm Erebia aethiops UK Biodiversity Action 35-40mm Plan Species The Scotch Argus breeds An inconspicuous butterfly in tall damp grassland , and that tends to fly only in bright 31 32 32 open, wet woodland , where conditions, and always keeps the caterpillars feed on a its wings closed at rest. It occurs variety of grasses. In sunshine mostly on grasslands where the the adult butterflies can be sward is short and where there very active, but cloudy weather are fine-leaved grasses upon can cause them to stop which the caterpillar feeds. flying completely. It is the last Although widespread in Scotland, butterfly of the season to it has undergone massive emerge, flying from late July declines in other parts of the UK. until early September, and It has one generation per year, can be very abundant . the adults being on the wing from mid-May to early August. 33 33 33 DAY-FLYING MOTHS The day-flying moths shown are sometimes mistaken for butterflies. There are probably several hundred species of moth that could be seen in the region , but most only fly at night.

33. Six-spot Burnet 35. Forester 38. Mother Shipton Zygaena filipendulae Adscita statices Callistege mi 34 34 35 25-40mm 22-30mm 26-32mm The striking red and black UK Biodiversity Action This moth gets its strange colour of the adults mean Plan Species name from the wing pattern ‘predators beware’ because This striking metallic green which is reputed to resemble the moth is packed with a moth is probably over-looked . an old witch! The caterpillars chemical defence in the form Current records are only from feed on grasses and various of cyanide! The caterpillars the Solway coast and Mabie legumes, such as White are also poisonous and they Forest . The caterpillar’s Clover and Common Bird’s- are thought to derive these foodplant, Common Sorrel is foot Trefoil. The adults are chemicals from their foodplant, not scarce, so we do not know on the wing from early May Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil. why this moth is so rare. through to early July, and It flies from late June to August found in sunny habitats in sunny, grassy places, 36. Chimney Sweeper with flowery grasslands. especially along the coast. Odezia atrata 24-30mm 39. Emperor Moth 36 37 34. Cinnabar This little moth is sometimes Saturnia pavonia Tyria jacobaeae mistaken for the Small Blue 55-85mm 34-46mm butterfly (see above). The Perhaps the most spectacular The adult Cinnabar has Chimney Sweeper is entirely of our day-flying moths - similar coloration to the black, apart for the white edges and the caterpillars are pretty unrelated Six-spot Burnet, of its wing tips. The adults are distinctive as well! This is a and is also poisonous to birds. on the wing between June and common species of moorland, In this case the poison, again early August. The caterpillars found throughout the area. obtained by the caterpillars, feed on the flowers and seeds The caterpillars feed on comes from Common Ragwort. of Pignut, and the moth can heathers, bramble and other The adults fly from mid-May to be found in open woodlands woody plants. The adults fly August in dry, grassy habitats, and flower-rich grasslands. in spring, the males often seen and occur widely in Dumfries speeding across the moors & Galloway, and along the 37. Speckled Yellow in search of females. Although Ayrshire coast . The caterpillars Pseudopanthera macularia 38 39 39 strikingly-coloured, the are also conspicuous, having 25-30mm caterpillars can be difficult to yellow and black stripes. A common and widespread see, having superb camouflage moth in the region, often against the flowering heather . disturbed from long grass on sunny days. The caterpillars feed on Wood Sage . On the wing May to June. Flight Periods Get involved! What ? Butterfly recording comprises monitoring and BUTTERFLIES Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec There is still much to find out about surveying. Monitoring is used to collect information Dingy Skipper how butterfly and moth populations about changes to individual populations or sites over Large Skipper time, normally annually. Surveying is concerned with Small Skipper are changing and everyone can collecting records from a number of different sites to try and gain a true picture of butterfly distributions. Clouded Yellow help - we really do need your Large White butterfly and moth sightings. To send us a record you need to provide the Small White following information; species name, how many Green-veined White Why? you saw, location name, grid reference from an Orange-tip Recording is the foundation upon which Ordnance Survey map, date, and your contact Green Hairstreak conservation of wildlife is based. It helps us to details. Records should be sent to your local Purple Hairstreak identify population trends, identify important butterfly or moth recorder (see below) who verifies sites, and can assess the effectiveness of habitat and collates them and then sends them to a Small Copper management. Butterflies and moths can be quick national database, where they will be analysed. Small Blue to respond to changes to their environment. One day your records could appear as dots Northern Brown Argus They therefore make excellent indicator species, on distribution maps ! Holly Blue capable of detecting changes due to new Common Blue management or the effects of climate change. Our records are co-ordinated regionally Red Admiral You can record them in your garden or venture by volunteers. Butterfly records go to: Painted Lady to parts of the countryside you would otherwise butterfly-recorder @ not visit. Above all though, it is easy, great fun , southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk Small Tortoiseshell and very rewarding! Peacock Moth records go to : Comma When? Keith Naylor, 4 James Ewart Avenue, Small Pearl-b'd Fritillary Choose warm, sunny days to look for butterflies Dalbeattie DG5 4UN Pearl-bordered Fritillary and moths, when they are more active. Always keith.naylor @talk21.com Dark Green Fritillary take a map. Many paths are uneven so wear footwear with good ankle support and for longer Ayrshire : Neil Gregory, 32 Oldhall Drive, Wall walks take warm, waterproof clothing as weather Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, PA13 4RF Speckled Wood conditions can change quickly. A mobile phone, droitwich @btinternet.com Scotch Argus sun hat, snack and drink are good safety precautions. Grayling Let someone know where you have gone and Want to know more? Meadow Brown what time you expect to be back. Remember The following books are recommended: to take a notebook and pen too, to record your Ringlet Britain’s Butterflies (2002) David Tomlinson sightings . Binoculars, digital camera and a Small Heath & Rob Still. Photographic field guide. butterfly net can also be useful. Large Heath ISBN No. 1-903657-01-6 DAY-FLYING MOTHS Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Where? Butterflies of SW Scotland (2006) Keith Futter Six-spot Burnet Most butterflies prefer sheltered sunny locations et al. Distribution maps with notes on habitat, local Cinnabar with plenty of nectar. Several are specialists flight period, and sites. ISBN 978-095510862-4 Forester and are restricted to a particular habitat. Other Guide to butterflies of Britain and Ireland Chimney Sweeper species are very mobile, such as Red Admiral (2007) Jeremy. Thomas Excellent pocket guide. Speckled Yellow and Painted Lady, and can be seen almost ISBN No. 13 978-0-540-08980-2 anywhere. Your local park will almost certainly Mother Shipton have a variety of butterflies, such as Peacock, The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland Emperor Moth Orange-tip, and Large, Small and Green-veined Richard Fox et al (2006) The latest published White, especially if there are areas that have distribution maps. ISBN No. 1-874357-31-5 Please note flight periods will vary depending on the weather. developed naturally, or the local Council has Concise guide to the Moths of Great Britain sown an area with native flowers and grasses. and Ireland (2007) Martin Townsend and Moths will probably not be so obvious, but Paul Waring. ISBN 978-0-9531399-6-5. why not look for them on National Moth Night? www.nationalmothnight.info