Where to fi nd out more Right: Small Heath. JIM ASHER There are many excellent guides to British butterfl ies bracken and woodland Behold the butterfl ies of and moths available, including edge breeding habitat. • WildGuides: Britain’s Butterfl ies by David Newland, Marsh Fritillary and Dark Robert Still, Andy Swash & David Tomlinson Green Fritillary have been • Pocket Guide to the Butterfl ies of Great Britain & Ireland recorded here in June, but by Richard Lewington sightings of the latter are Moor • Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterfl ies by Peter Eeles very rare. As the summer • WildGuides: Britain’s Day-fl ying Moths by David Newland, progresses Silver-washed odmin Moor is home to 33 species of butterfl y, Robert Still & Andy Swash Fritillary can also be found here, and in the wet meadows Fritillary are likely to be seen gliding around the woodland and offers great opportunities to view them in a across the moor where its caterpillar feeds on Common- iRecord Butterfl ies app edges, while Purple Hairstreak fl it among the tops of the oak beautiful, secluded landscape within the dog and Marsh Violets. Look out for Europe’s largest Download the free iRecord Butterfl ies app to help trees. Brimstone and Speckled Wood may also be found here Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Its fritillary, the Silver-washed Fritillary, as it fl ies along you identify butterfl ies you see and to submit your Bdiverse range of habitats, including moorland, woodland, throughout spring and summer. wooded paths and glades. Other special species to look sightings to Butterfl y Conservation. It is available The bracken-covered slopes running down to the River river valleys, quarries and farmland, support a wealth of out for are Small Heath, Green Hairstreak in the iTunes and Google app stores. Camel near the village of are another important butterfl ies including some rare species that are only found and Wall. area for Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. in a few locations around Britain. For information about local events and guided These south-facing slopes are also home to an array of day- Butterfl ies vary in their fl ight periods and the type of walks, search for ‘St Breward Wildlife and Where to see butterfl ies fl ying moths, including the magnifi cent Emperor Moth. habitat they use. This guide will help you identify the Conservation Group’ on Facebook or visit the South of the Marsh Fritillary may be seen on the species you are likely to come across, and show you when Cornwall Branch Butterfl y Conservation website: on wet tussocky grassland south of Colliford Dam on Penkestle and where to see them. www.cornwall-butterfl y-conservation.org.uk Bodmin Moor is known for its exposed uplands, and Moor. The rare Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was often Butterfl ies can be enjoyed on facebook.com/savebutterfl ies instagram.com/savebutterfl ies its vast open moorlands. The landscape can appear wild, seen fl ying in the Valley, but it hasn’t been recorded Bodmin Moor during most months of the year. A warm and sunny day in January or February twitter.com/savebutterfl ies rugged, and sometimes desolate, but its sheltered pockets since 2008. It has recently been discovered on the Mid and mixture of habitats provide a home for a Cornwall Moors, giving hope that this elusive might offer the chance to see a Red Admiral or Peacock, This leafl et has been created as part of Butterfl y Conservation’s variety of butterfl y and moth species. species is still fl ying somewhere on Bodmin having awoken from their winter hibernation. A few weeks National Lottery Heritage Funded ‘All the Moor Butterfl ies’ project. Located above the beautiful valley of Moor. It has similar habitat requirements to later a Small Tortoiseshell or a Brimstone might reveal The project aims to conserve the threatened butterfl ies and moths of the , Garrow Tor is one the Marsh Fritillary; wet grasslands with itself, and by April the butterfl y season is upon us, Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, and Exmoor. Find out more online: of the most important areas for an abundance of Devil’s-bit Scabious. with many other species beginning to emerge as www.butterfl y-conservation.org the iconic Marsh Fritillary. Other Bodmin Moor is one of the best spring moves in to summer. Bodmin Moor is a stronghold for three of SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVEN CHESHIRE, DEBBIE CHESHIRE, IAIN H LEACH, butterfl ies that can be seen in this places in Cornwall for Small Heath BOB EADE, JIM ASHER, CERIN POLAND, RICHARD FOX, PATRICK CLEMENT, area include the Wall, Common butterfl y. Look out for them on Britain’s rarest and most rapidly declining AND MARK PARSONS FOR PROVIDING PHOTOGRAPHS. Blue and Green Hairstreak. the dry areas where the grass is fritillary butterfl ies, including the Marsh For further information please contact: Lower down the De Lank short and sparse. Wall and very Fritillary. This exquisitely patterned Butterfl y Conservation River on the level area below occasionally Grayling may also butterfl y is faring well on the open T: 01929 400209 Downs is one of the be spotted on the higher areas of expanses of herb-rich wet grassland E: info@butterfl y-conservation.org best spots for fritillary butterfl ies the moor, particularly where the found across the moor, assisted granite rock is exposed. by traditional farming techniques Cornwall Area of Outstanding on the moor. In the spring you Natural Beauty will have a very good chance and extensive grazing by cattle W: www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk of seeing Pearl-bordered Fritillary and ponies. E: [email protected] and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Populations of Pearl-bordered here, nectaring on the Bluebells and All of the areas mentioned in this guide are accessible via public Fritillary can be seen on warm and footpaths. Please follow the countryside code and avoid trampling Butterfl y Conservation Company limited by guarantee, registered Bugle that neighbour their preferred delicate habitats by remaining on the designated paths. Not all paths sunny days in the fi rst half of May, gliding gracefully over Above: Marsh Fritillary. BOB EADE in England (2206468). Registered offi ce: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, are waymarked and may cross uneven and boggy ground. Suitable footwear bracken slopes in search of violets. Small Pearl-bordered Cover image: Pearl-bordered Fritillary. IAIN H LEACH Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP. Charity registered in England and Wales Above: Pearl-bordered Fritillary. CERIN POLAND and use of an OS map is recommended when exploring the Moor. (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) VAT No GB991 2771 89

Occasional/possible fl ight time Pocket Guide Flight chart Peak fl ight period Day-fl ying moths Butterfl ies If you see what looks like a butterfl y on Bodmin Moor but it is Flight times Status/ Butterfl y Regional Habitat not on the identifi cation guide overleaf, it could be a day-fl ying in decline Trend* Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Butterfl ies of moth. There are over 100 species of day-fl ying moth in Britain, Small Skipper C / U Grassy areas, woodland glades and rides compared to 59 species of butterfl y. Some that you may come British butterfl ies remain a cause Large Skipper C / S Areas with long grass, scrubby areas, woodland rides across are included below. for conservation concern, with just Clouded Yellow M / D Sunny, open, fl owery meadows There are a number of differences between most moths and over half of our native species in decline. Four butterfl ies and butterfl ies, but there is no hard and fast rule which separates over 60 moths became extinct in the last century. Butterfl y Bodmin Brimstone L / I Scrubby grassland, hedgerows, woodland rides or glades them. In general, moths are active at night and butterfl ies Conservation aims to halt and reverse these declines by Large White C / S Gardens and allotments are active during the day; moths tend to hold their wings fl at working closely with conservation partners and landowners to Small White C / I Gardens, allotments and fi elds of Oil-seed Rape against their body when resting, while butterfl ies tend to rest create a world rich in butterfl ies for future generations to enjoy. Moor Green-veined white C / I Hedgerows, riverbanks and damp vegetation with wings held vertically; and the antennae of butterfl ies tend Butterfl y Conservation has been researching and conserving Orange Tip C / I Damp, grassy habitats to be clubbed, whereas moths have feathery or thread-like tips butterfl ies and moths for more than 50 years. By working with Green Hairstreak L / U Moorland, heathland, chalk downland, woodland rides to their antennae. partners, including conservation charities, landowners and Purple Hairstreak R / D Oak trees in mature woodland, parkland and hedgerows farmers, we have turned the fortunes of some of our most threatened species around. White-letter Hairstreak R / U Elm in hedgerows and woodlands Emperor Moth – large moth with stunning eye spots on each wing. Male is Small Copper C / I Unimproved grassland, woodland rides and glades Below: Small Tortoiseshell Above right: Purple Hairstreak. CERIN POLAND day-fl ying with bright orange hindwings, Brown Argus R / U Heathland, woodland clearings, road verges, chalk grassland female is larger and grey in colour. Common Blue C / I Sunny sheltered areas, woodland clearings, grassy areas Holly Blue L / S Hedgerows, woodland rides, gardens Red Admiral C / S Sunny, open habitats, gardens, fl ower-rich areas Silver Y – dull grey or brown, with central Painted Lady M / S Dry, open, sunny areas silver spots in the shape of the letter ‘Y’. Small Tortoiseshell C / S Sunny, open habitats Peacock C / S Sunny, open habitats, woodland rides and glades Comma C / I Open woodland, woodland edges, gardens Pearl-bordered Fritillary R / I Open, sunny bracken habitats Six-spot Burnet – similar colour to the Cinnabar but instead of a red stripe it Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary L / U Woodland glades and clearings, damp grassland areas has six red spots on each wing. Dark Green Fritillary R / I Open, sunny bracken habitats, moorland, woodland rides & clearings Silver-washed Fritillary L / S Sunny rides and glades in woodland, woody hedgerows Marsh Fritillary R / I Damp tussocky grassland (chalk downland in Dorset) Speckled Wood L / I Woodland rides and glades, hedgerows, gardens Chimney Sweeper – sooty black colour with white fringe at the tip of the forewing. Wall L / D Short, open grassland, stony tracks, cliffs, quarries Marbled White R / D Unimproved grassland, fl owery meadows Grayling R / U Dry heathland, chalk or limestone grassland, quarries, coastal habitats Gatekeeper C / D Hedgerows and woodland with wide sunny rides Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth – fast fl ying Butterfl y monitoring is carried out to help us understand what Meadow Brown C / I Flowery open grassland areas, verges, woodland rides moth that resembles a bumblebee in behaviour is happening to our butterfl ies, and the data we collect helps and appearance. This nationally rare moth may Ringlet C / I Tall grassland, woodland rides and glades us to direct our conservation resources to where they are still be present on the moor in small numbers. most needed. If you would like to get involved with recording Small Heath C / D Heathland, dry grassland, coastal dunes Lives in wet grassland and fl ies in April/May. butterfl ies, please get in touch with Butterfl y Conservation *Status/Regional Trend: (C) Common (R) Rare (L) Locally Common (M) Migrant (D) Decline (I) Increase (S) Stable (U) Unknown (contact details are on the reverse of this guide). Please note: photos not to scale Butterfl ies of Bodmin Moor Identifi cation Guide

Bodmin Moor Star Species Wing span range

Small Skipper Large Skipper Clouded Yellow Thymelicus sylvestris Ochlodes sylvanus Colias croceus Upper side solid orange, Chequered pattern visible on Rests with wings closed. Mustard no mottling. Males have a both sides of the wings. yellow with ringed white mark in 185dpi curved line (sex brand) The male has a prominent centre of hindwing and black dot on the forewing. Tips of black line (sex brand) on in centre of forewing. antennae are orange. the forewing. 57 – 62mm 30mm 33 – 35mm

Brimstone Large White Small White Green-veined white..... Gonepteryx rhamni Pieris brassicae Pieris rapae Pieris napi Orange-tip When perched resembles Anthocharis cardamines Conspicuous black tips Black wing tips (but less Veins visible on upperside but most a leaf in shape and colour. to the upperside of the extensive than on Large conspicuous on underside, green on pale Male forewing tips bright orange, Upperside of the male forewing extending about White). Males have a single black yellow background. First brood (May) female wing tips black. Underside buttercup yellow, female pale lemon yellow. half way down the wing edge. spot on upperside of forewing (unlike is smaller and paler than its of hind wing mottled green. Central spot in both wings. Female can Females have double black dots on the forewings. Large White); females have two. offspring (July onwards). be confused with Large White in fl ight. 45 – 50mm 60mm 63 – 70mm 48mm 50mm

White-letter Hairstreak Small Copper Brown Argus Green Hairstreak Satyrium w-album Purple Hairstreak Lycaena phlaeas Aricia agestis Callophrys rubi Favonius quercus Orange margin to underside Coppery-orange forewings Can be mistaken for female Green underside distinguishes Underwings grey with white streak of hindwing and a distinctive with black margins and spots, Common Blue. Upperside solid this butterfl y from all other and small tails, upper wings brown. Males ‘tail’ to wing shape. White line brown hindwings with orange brown ground colour without blue scaling; British butterfl ies. Upperside have a purple sheen, females have a straddles both wings with ‘W’ margins. Male smaller than female lacks spots on underside forewing plain brown, only seen in fl ight. purple mark on forewing. shape on hindwing. and forewings more pointed. nearer than halfway to the body. 33mm 37 – 39mm 36mm 32 – 35mm 29mm

Common Blue Holly Blue Red Admiral Painted Lady Small Tortoiseshell Polyommatus icarus Celastrina argiolus Vanessa atalanta Vanessa cardui Aglais urticae Male upperside bright blue, females Easily distinguished Distinctive black, white Chequered orange and brown markings Upperside bright orange dusky brown with blue scaling and orange from Common Blue and red markings on with white spots in top half of forewing. with black markings, markings to wing margins. Markings by distinctive silvery blue upperside; underside Freshly emerged butterfl ies salmon-pink, a white spot on the on underside of forewing closer to underwing with black spots. forewing mottled to offer colour fading with time. Underside forewing and blue margins to both wings. body than those on Brown Argus. Female upperwing with broad black margin. good camoufl age. mottled and well camoufl aged. Underside is dull and well camoufl aged. 35mm 35mm 67 – 72mm 50 – 56mm 50 – 56mm

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Peacock Comma Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene Aglais io Polygonia c-album Boloria euphrosyne Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja Can be confused with Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Orangey-red ground colour Upperside orange with Upperside chequered pattern of black Upperside black triangles along wing edge Slightly smaller than Silver- with distinctive ‘eyes’ on the black markings, distinctive scalloped markings on orange background. are joined to dark wing border. Underside washed Fritillary. Underside upperside of both wings. wing shape. Underside mottled Underside hindwing with small central hindwing black spot is large dark green with clearly Underside almost black and very brown, with a white comma black spot and margins with 7 silver and silver pearls bordered marked silver spots. well camoufl aged. mark on the hindwing. pearls bordered with red chevrons. with black chevrons. 63 – 69mm 63 – 69mm 55 – 60mm 44 – 47mm 41 – 44mm

Silver-washed Fritillary Speckled Wood Wall Marbled White Argynnis paphia Marsh Fritillary Pararge aegeria Lasiommata megera Melanargia galathea Euphydrias aurinia The largest of the fritillary butterfl ies. Upperside deep brown with Similar to a fritillary, distinguished by Distinctive black and white Upperside with yellow, orange and Males richer orange, with four black creamy-yellow markings on both wings. the ‘eye’ spot on the forewings and markings. Underside pattern brown chequered markings. sex brands (thickened veins) on the Three black eye spots with white pupils three or four ‘eye’ spots on the similar on both sexes, hindwing Females larger and paler forewing. Underside of both on hind wing, one on forewing. hindwing. Underside dull, mottled black on male and than males. sexes with silver washes or streaks. Underside mottled pale brown. brown, ‘eye’ spots visible. browny yellow on female. 42 – 48mm 72 – 76mm 47 – 50mm 44 – 46mm 53 – 58mm

Meadow Brown Grayling Gatekeeper Maniola jurtina Hipparchia semele Pyronia tithonus Ringlet Small Heath Aphantopus hyperantus Coenonympha pamphilus Males chocolate brown with orange-ringed Usually rests with wings closed. Distinguished from the similar ‘eye’ spot on forewing; females with ‘eye’ spot Upperside dark brown (female Usually rests with wings closed. Underside dull brown and well Meadow Brown by orange colouring on and splash of orange on forewing. Underside paler than male), with white Smaller and paler than other brown camoufl aged, two prominent upperside of both forewing and with prominent ‘eye’ spots on forewing fringe. Several ‘eye’ spots on butterfl ies. Underside of forewing ‘eye’ spots on the forewing visible hindwing. White spots on underside and two small black spots upper and underside. pale orange with black ‘eye’ spot. on underside. hindwing (black on Meadow Brown). noticeable on hindwing. 48 – 52mm 34 – 38mm 55 – 60mm 40 – 47mm 50 – 55mm