Sussex Branch

Butterfly Species in Sussex

Description

This is our most abundant butterfly species of high summer. It can be found along any sunny, sheltered hedgerow and also in many sunny, woodland rides. It lives in well-defined colonies ranging from a few dozen to many thousands.

There could be room for confusion with the much larger female Meadow Brown but otherwise identification should be straightforward.

The first adults emerge around June 20th, but it takes several weeks before there are peak numbers, in late July/early August. Just a few more weeks and they have all disappeared.

Where to find

This species is very common and ubiquitous.

Image gallery

Female on Kidney Vetch – photo by Martin Kalaher

Male at rest

Female nectaring on Field Scabious

Undersides showing two pupils in the eyespot

Male at rest

A mating pair

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More information

Butterfly Conservation Gatekeeper