An introduction to bu tte rflies and moths of the Causeway Coast and Glens Butterflies and moths can be found everywhere from the tops of our mountains to the seashore, in our parks, gardens, fields and woodland. This guide will introduce you to the butterflies and some of the moths that you will find as you explore the Causeway Coast and Glens, and provide information on some of the best and most easily accessible places for you to see them. Causausewayeway CCooastast AArearea of OutOutstandingstanding Natuaturalral BeBeautyauty This booklet provides a brief introduction to some of the bu tte rflies and moths you are likely to see as you explore the Causeway Coast and Glens. Dark Green Fritillary It also provides information on flight times, food plants and habitats so you’ll know what to look out for as you explore. Some of the most popular sites in the Causeway Coast and Glens are profiled by habitat to help you plan your visits. Most importantly there is information on how to feed back to us on what you see. Your sightings of butterflies and moths are really important in helping to conserve them now and in the future. Common Blue How to use this booklet Our common or ‘Wider Countryside’ species ­All­of­our­butterflies­and­moths­are­linked­to­particular are shown at the beginning of this booklet. They types­of­landscape­or­habitat.­These­are­very­varied, are the creatures you are most likely to encounter but­have­been­basically­described­as; when you visit the Causeway Coast and Glens. •Peatland - bogs, moors and fens Our rarer or ‘Specialist’ butterflies and moths Grassland - meadows, grassy rides and glades are shown at the back. These are species • Woodland - forests, scrub and hedgerows which are much more restricted to a specific • type of landscape or foodplant. •Rocky - sand dunes, sea cliffs and stony outcrops Urban - parks, gardens and farmland In the middle you will find a selection of sites • within the Causeway Coast and Glens AONBs, Each site description gives a rough idea of the all of which are publically accessible throughout different landscapes you will encounter and what the year. creatures you may come across while you are there. Sites are divided into two main categories: Tell us what you see! Family Friendly sites have lots of At the back of the booklet find out how to record facilities and are often easy to find your sightings online, along with lots of links to further information. Off-road sites are more basic and often a bit more off the beaten track. Your sightings are really important for helping Butterfly Conservation and the Causeway Coast and Glens The location of sites is shown on the fold-out Heritage Trust conserve these special creatures. map at the end of the booklet. Causeway Coast and Glens Stretching from Belfast Lough to Lough Foyle the Causeway Coast and Glens comprises 3 AONBs, designated as landscapes of national importance. Designated in 1989, the Antrim Coast & Glens The Causeway Coast and Glens are extremely AONB encompasses the famous ‘9 Glens of important areas for butterflies and moths in Antrim’, the coastal area between Larne and Northern Ireland. Designated for their dramatic Ballycastle and Rathlin Island. Travelling the landscapes they contain a wide variety of important breathtaking Antrim Coast Road, the landscape and specialised habitats including wildflower-rich is characterised by a series of striking headlands meadows, woodlands, bogs, wetlands and cliffs. and sheltered bays. The upland areas provide These in turn provide homes for some of Northern a contrast to the gentle rolling green glens, with Ireland’s most important and iconic species, some the Garron Plateau forming the most extensive of which can only be seen at the sites mentioned area of upland bog in Northern Ireland. in this booklet and nowhere else. The Causeway Coast AONB was designated in Spo tting butte rflies and moths 1989, extending 30km from Portrush to Ballycastle, Go looking on warm sunny days characterised by a dramatic, complex coastline when there’s not much wind. and including the Giants Causeway World Heritage They love to bask on bare earth, Site. Contrasting with this wild coastal scenery of fence posts and stones. steep headlands and rocky bays is the Bush Valley landscape characterised by mixed farmland and Moths and butterflies feed on nectar pockets of woodland. so check flowers heads. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! Binevenagh AONB was designated in 2006. This is a re-designation and extension of the North Derry Butterflies and moths are insects with short AONB, originally designated in 1966. This AONB lifecycles, most going from egg > caterpillar > includes some of the finest beaches and dune chrysalis > adult in less than a year. They are systems on an international scale. The flat alluvial widely recognised as a good indicator of the health plain near Lough Foyle is important for arable of the environment as lots of different types of farming overlooked by the dramatic headland of butterflies and moths in good numbers implies Binevenagh Mountain with its rich blanket bog. a healthy ecosystem for lots of different plants and animals. Telling us what you see helps us to better conserve our habitats and landscapes for butterflies, moths and all biodiversity. Wider Count ryside Butte rflies and Moths Wider Countryside butterflies and moths are found right across the countryside, gardens and wild places throughout Northern Ireland. As caterpillars, they eat a wide variety of different plants, or eat very common and widespread plants like nettles . They are mobile and can easily fly from one patch of habitat to another. Green-veined White Small White Large White Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Flight season Flight season Flight season March to October. March to October. April to September. Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Leaves of small crucifers Cabbage plant family. Cabbage plant family. including Cuckooflower. Clouded Yellow (MIGRANT) Yellow Shell (MOTH) Six-spot Burnet (MOTH) Distribution Widespread. Distribution Widespread. Distribution Widespread. Flight season Flight season Flight season May to November; peak June to early-September. Late May to early September. sightings August to September. Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Herbaceous plants including Bird’s-foot Trefoil. Clovers and other members docks, bedstraws and of the Pea family. chickweeds. Orange Tip (Male and underwing) Cinnabar (MOTH) Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Widespread. Flight season Early April to mid-July; Flight season peak sightings late April to late May. May to August. Caterpillar food plant Cuckooflower. Caterpillar food plant NB Female Orange Tips don’t have orange Common Ragwort. markings, but both have mottled green outer wings. •Peatland •Rocky •Urban •Grassland •Woodland Meadow Brown Ringlet Speckled Wood Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Flight season Flight season Flight season March to early May to late October. Mid-June to mid-August. November; peak sightings Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant. August to September. Grasses. Grasses. Caterpillar food plant Grasses at the edge of woodland. Small Copper Small Heath Common Heath (MOTH) Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Flight season Flight season Flight season Mid-April to mid-October. Late April to mid-October; peak Mid-April to early August. Caterpillar food plant sightings mid-May to late June. Caterpillar food plant Sheep’s Sorrel and Caterpillar food plant Various heathers. Common Sorrel. Fine-leaved grasses. Northern Eggar (MOTH) Emperor (MOTH) Distribution Widespread. Distribution Everywhere. Flight season May to August. Flight season Late March to mid-June; Caterpillar food plant peak sightings mid-April. Heather, Birch, Willow, Hawthorn. Caterpillar food plant Heath, Meadowsweet, NB Look out for caterpillars basking on vegetation Bog Myrtle and Willow. NB Look out for caterpillars in the autumn and spring before they pupate. basking on vegetation in August and September Wider Count ryside Butte rflies and Moths Wider Countryside butterflies and moths are found right across the countryside, gardens and wild places throughout Northern Ireland. As caterpillars, they eat a wide variety of different plants, or eat very common and widespread plants like nettles . They are mobile and can easily fly from one patch of habitat to another. Small Tortoiseshell Red Admiral (MIGRANT) Painted Lady (MIGRANT) Distribution Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere. Everywhere. Flight season Flight season Flight season All year round; peak sightings March to November; peak All year round; peak sightings August to September. sightings August to September. July to September. Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Common Nettle. Species of thistle. Common Nettle. Peacock Comma (MIGRANT) Humming-bird Hawk-moth Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Rare, sightings (MIGRANT) Flight season restricted to the east coast. Distribution Widespread. All year round; peak Flight season July to August. Flight season April to October. sightings in August . Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Caterpillar food plant Common Nettle, Bedstraws, but very unlikely Common Nettle. sometimes Hops. to successfully breed in NI. Garden Tiger (MOTH) Elephant Hawk-moth Distribution Everywhere. Distribution Everywhere.