Butterflies and day-flyingmoths of Dumfries & Gallowayand Ayrshirean identification guide

Butterflies and moths are beautiful insects and a joy toobserve as well as identify. This guide will help you identifyall the butterflies and some of the common day-flying mothsthat occur in Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire and Arran.

It also has a chart so you can easily see which species are onthe wing at a given time, and suggests some of the best andmost easily accessible places in the region for you to see them.We hope this leaflet will encourage you to learn more aboutthese beautiful insects, and to send us your records.

Common Blue

Scotland OfficeBalallan House 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QGTel: 01786 447753 Email: scotland@butterfly-conservation.orgwww.butterfly-conservation.org

Butterfly Conservation. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468)Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QPCharity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)

This leaflet has been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Dumfries andGalloway 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,Paul Kirkland, Paul Pugh, Ramsay Young, Richard Mearns, Scott Shanks and Stuart Graham.Map © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2010

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

*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 haveUK populations of European or international importance. In Scotland some of these species might notbe declining, but losses in other areas mean that they qualify for UK listing. What action is needed foreach species and habitat is determined at a combination of UK, country, regional and local levels.

The Local Biodiversity Action Plan co-ordinates action to conserve wildlife at the local level. Local actioncannot take place without the enthusiasm of local people, and depends on partnerships between localcommunities, landowners, businesses, voluntary and public organisations, and the local Council.Contact your local Council to get involved:www.dumgal.gov.uk/biodiversity.www.ayrshire-jsu.gov.uk/biodiversity_action_plan.html

Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity, with nearly 15,000 members and almost1000 in Scotland. We work closely with the local communities, landowners, theScottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and other conservation partnersto 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 anannual membership you will receive an interesting and informative welcome pack,the exclusive magazine Butterfly three times a year and membership of your localbranch of Butterfly Conservation. Our local branches run public butterfly and mothevents throughout the year. To join on-line or for further information, please go towww.butterfly-conservation.org. To find out what is going on in your area, go towww.SouthWestScotland-butterflies.org.uk

1. Dingy SkipperErynnis tages27-34mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan Species (*see back page)This moth-like butterfly isperhaps the rarest and mostthreatened in Scotland. Mostof its sites have plenty of bareground and Common Bird’s-footTrefoil, such as on coastalgrassland or forestry tracks.Some sites however are in tall,damp grassland, where thecaterpillar food plant is GreaterBird’s-foot Trefoil. It flies inMay and June.

2. Small SkipperThymelicus sylvestris26-30mmA recent arrival, whichprobably colonised naturallyfrom northern England. Thisis a butterfly of rough, grassyplaces, such as field margins,roadside verges and disusedrailway lines. First recorded inthe Lochmaben area in 2006,it could spread quickly alongsuch ‘habitat corridors’ inresponse to the warmingclimate, and can be seenon the wing throughoutJuly and August.

3. Essex SkipperThymelicus lineola26-30mmThis butterfly is very similarto the Small Skipper (you needto check the colour of theundersides of the antennae!)and was first recorded in theDalton/Lockerbie area atBirkshaw Forest in 2007.It seems likely that this wasan accidental introduction,perhaps in hay, as the nearestcolonies are in the Midlands.It can be seen on the wingthroughout July and August.

4. Large SkipperOchlodes sylvanus33-35mmThe Large Skipper is found inareas of tall grassland and is onthe wing earlier than the SmallSkipper - from early June untillate July. The caterpillars feedon tussock-forming grassessuch as Cock’s-foot.

5. Clouded YellowColias croceus57-62mmA migrant to the UK fromthe Continent, this butterfly isseen in low numbers in mostyears, but is known for itsmass migrations when it arrivesin large numbers. It is mostfrequently seen between Mayand September along the coast.

6. Large WhitePieris brassicae63-70mmThis is our largest whitebutterfly and a strong flier. Thecaterpillars feed on Brassicassuch as cabbage and broccoli,and are therefore disliked bygardeners. It is distinguishablefrom the Small White by itslarger size, darker black wingtips extending further down thewing edge, and bolder spots.Flies June to September.

7. Small WhitePieris rapae38-57mmThe caterpillars feed onBrassicas, but they causeless damage than those of theLarge White. Easily confusedwith the Green-veined Whitewhich is similar in size, but theupperside has dark tips to theforewings, and it lacks thegreen veins on the undersideof the wing. It is one of the firstbutterflies to be seen in springand flies all summer.

8. Green-veined WhitePieris napi40-52mmGenerally this is the mostcommon species of white tobe seen in the countryside.Unlike the two “cabbagewhites” above, the Green-veined White feeds on wildcrucifers and is not a gardenpest. The green veins onthe underside of the wingdistinguish this from otherwhite butterflies and moths,but they can fade with wearand are less distinct in secondgeneration butterflies. Oneof the first butterflies ofspring, it flies all summer.

9. Orange-tipAnthocharis cardamines45-50mmMales are unmistakable withtheir bright orange wing-tips,but females have no orangeso could be confused withSmall or Green-veined Whites.However, Orange-tips havemore rounded wing tips anddistinctive mottled greenundersides that can be seenfaintly through the upperwing.Their distinctive orange eggscan be found on thecaterpillars’ food plants -crucifers such as CuckooFlower, Garlic Mustard,Honesty and Dame’s Violet.Flies mid April to June.

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SKIPPERS

YELLOWS & WHITES

10. Green HairstreakCallophrys rubi27-34mmDespite the bright greenappearance of this smallbutterfly, which always sitswith its wings closed, it is oftendifficult to spot. It prefers warm,sheltered sites near woodlandor along the scrubby edges ofmoorland and bogs where itscaterpillars feed on Blaeberry(Bilberry), Gorse and Ling(Heather). The Green Hairstreakflies from mid April to June.

11. Purple HairstreakNeozephyrus quercus37-39mmA striking butterfly, but verydifficult to see as it feeds onhoneydew in the canopy of oakand other trees. The adultbutterflies are best looked for inlate afternoon or early eveningon warm days when they canbe seen by scanning the topsof the oak trees with binoculars.Occasionally they fly down tonectar on bramble and otherflowers. The caterpillars feedonly on oak. Flies late Julyto mid-September.

12. Small CopperLycaena phlaeas32-35mmThis dainty butterfly is awidespread species found ina range of habitats, includinggardens. Its caterpillars feed onCommon and Sheep’s Sorrel.The spring and summer broodscan overlap, so adults can beseen from late April to lateSeptember, although they arerarely abundant. The butterflycan often be seen nectaring onRagwort in the late summer.

13. Small BlueCupido minimus20-30mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesThe smallest butterfly inthe UK, this dusky-colouredspecies is thought to havebecome extinct in the area inthe 1980s. Former colonieswere on the coast at Rockcliffeand Prestwick, where the solecaterpillar food plant, KidneyVetch, still grows in abundance.The day-flying and much morecommon Chimney Sweepermoth is rather similar, but theSmall Blue has a white borderextending all around the wing.Flies mid-May to late June.A re-introduction projectis being considered.

14. Northern Brown ArgusPlebeius artaxerxes26-35mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesWhen newly-emerged thissmall butterfly has deep,velvety brown upper wings.It could be confused witha female Common Blue,which can occur in the samehabitats, but the pattern on theundersides and the white spoton each forewing distinguish it.Colonies can also be found bysearching for its conspicuouswhite eggs laid on the upperside of the leaves of its foodplant, Common Rock-rose.It occurs mostly on the coastand along steep, open burnsides where there is plenty ofbare ground. Adults fly fromearly June to August.

15. Common BluePolyommatus icarus29-36mmA widespread butterflyfound in a variety of grassyhabitats almost anywherethat its caterpillar’s foodplant,Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil,occurs. The beautiful andbrightly-coloured males arevery conspicuous, whilethe females are generallyblue-brown with distinctiveorange spots. It usually hasjust one generation a year,the adults flying betweenJune and September.

16. Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus30-35mmThis species has beenrecorded sporadically alongthe north Solway coast formany years. Check itssilvery-blue underwings foridentification. Of the bluebutterflies it is the most likelyone to be seen in gardens orparks, as it is not dependenton flower-rich grasslands, likethe Common and Small Blues.There are two generationsper year and it is on the wingprimarily in April/May andagain in August. In earlyspring the caterpillars feedon Holly, while in the summerIvy is the main foodplant.

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17. Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta67-72mmA familiar and distinctive‘garden’ butterfly whichmigrates to the UK every yearfrom southern Europe andNorth Africa. It can breed inScotland but rarely survives ourwinters. The major influx startsin late May and is reinforceduntil August, with adults beingseen until November in goodyears. The caterpillars feedon Common Nettle.

18. Painted LadyVanessa cardui64-70mmAnother migrant, this speciesis unable to over-winter in anypart of the UK and re-coloniseseach year from mainlandEurope and Africa, sometimesin spectacular numbers, as in2009. They can often be seencongregating in areas withthistles, which serve as botha foodplant for the caterpillarsand a nectar source for theadults. The peak of immigrationusually occurs in June, andadults can be seen untilOctober or November.

19. Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae50-56mmThis well-known butterfly canbe seen in most months of theyear in almost any habitat.The caterpillars feed on thefresh young leaves of CommonNettle that are growing in sunnyconditions. It over-winters asan adult and is one of the firstbutterflies to emerge in the spring.In autumn adults are regularlyfound in houses, sheds andoutbuildings seeking hibernationsites. It has been much scarcerin recent years, the reasons forwhich are being researched.

20. PeacockInachis io63-69mmAn unmistakable butterflyand a regular garden visitor,the Peacock is a very commonbutterfly. Often one of the firstbutterflies to be seen in thespring having overwinteredas adults, its summer broodcan be seen from July toSeptember, in much largernumbers. Its caterpillarsfeed on the young leavesof Common Nettle.

21. CommaPolygonia c-album55-60mmAn unmistakeable butterflywith ragged wings. It hasspread north from England inrecent years and is a distinctivenew addition to the butterflyfauna of south west Scotland.The caterpillars feed on Elm,Common Nettle and Hop. Theadults hibernate and emergein early spring, producing asecond generation from Julyto early October.

22. Pearl-bordered FritillaryBoloria euphrosyne41-47mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesThis butterfly is one of themost threatened in the UK,and is quite rare in the area,currently only known froma handful of sites in the southeast of the region. It occursin dry, flower-rich habitats inwoodland or plantationclearings, or in grassy areaswith bracken. It is usually foundon south-facing slopes, andneeds places with abundantdog violets upon which thecaterpillars feed. The adults flyfrom late April to mid-June.

23. Small Pearl-bordered FritillaryBoloria selene41-44mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesThis species is very similarto the Pearl-bordered Fritillary,and the only sure way of tellingthem apart is to get a good lookat their undersides. The SmallPearl-bordered Fritillary occursin a wider range of habitats,including damp, flower-richgrassland, woodland clearingsand the edges of bogs andmoorlands. The caterpillarsfeed on Marsh Violet and dogviolets, and the adults fly fromMay to August.

24. Dark Green FritillaryArgynnis aglaja63-69mmThis is a large butterfly thatfeeds on dog violets as acaterpillar. It is widespreadand is often found in flower-richhabitats with patches of scrub,especially along the coast.It flies from June to August,at about the same time as theSmall Pearl-bordered Fritillary,but is a more powerful flier, ismuch larger, and has a greenbackground to the undersideof its hind wing.

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More information on both sites is at www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland(search on Mabie or Dalbeattie), or contact Forestry Commission Scotlandon 01387 860247.

1 ARRANArran has amazing sceneryand many great walks. Butterfliesand moths that may be seeninclude Green Hairstreak, SmallPearl-bordered and Dark GreenFritillary, Speckled Wood, ScotchArgus, Grayling, Large Heath,Six-spot Burnet, Cinnabar.

AYRSHIRE2 Stevenston Dunes,SaltcoatsThe best sand dune systemin North Ayrshire. Park by thedunes at NS267409. By bus,alight at Stevenston Cross, thenhead down New Street/StationRoad/Shore Road. By train,alight at Stevenston station andhead down Shore Road to thecar park. The CunninghameCycleway runs past the dunes.Common Blue, Small Copper,Grayling, Six-spot Burnet.More information atwww.fssbirding.org.uk/butterflylocationsayrshire.htm

3 Gailes Marsh, IrvineHerb-rich, sandy, grassland andwell-vegetated pond shelteredby conifers. Adjacent to the golfcourses to the south of Irvineand reached via Marine Drive.Park beside the track by the fieldgate at NS323360 and enter bythe reserve sign 250m along thecycle-path. Common Blue, SmallCopper, Dark Green Fritillary,Grayling, Cinnabar, Six-spotBurnet. More information atwww.swt.org.uk

4 South Ayrshire coastA very rich stretch of coastlinebetween Glen App and Girvan.Steep-sided gulleys, limestonegrassland and cliffs requiringcare. Dingy and Large Skipper,Northern Brown Argus, WallBrown, Grayling, Six-spot Burnet,Cinnabar, Speckled Yellow.Good sites are ShallochwreckBurn/Currarie Port (park besidethe farm track at NX063770);Bennane Lea (park on the oldA77 at NX092859); and PinbainBurn (park at NX138915). Bussesrun between Girvan and GlenApp. More information atwww.fssbirding.org.uk/butterflylocationsayrshire.htm

5 Feoch MeadowsHerb-rich meadow. 1.5 miles(3 km) east of Barrhill villageon the A714, take the roughtrack marked ‘Killantrigan’ for500m. There is small car park atNX263815. The meadow lies500m to the north at NX261821.Waterproof footwear recommended.Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper,Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary,Scotch Argus, Large Heath.More information atwww.swt.org.uk

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY6 Torrs Warrenand the Rhins coastTorrs Warren is a coastal plantationand dune system south east ofStranraer. Parking is at NX143563off the B7084. Follow forest trackeastward to Ringdoo Point. Thenearby military training area shouldnot be entered if the red flag isflying. Many parts of the Rhinscoast support a range of butterfliesand moths, and have good access,e.g. Portpatrick (NX000537), Mullof Galloway (NX155305). DingySkipper, Small Pearl-bordered andDark Green Fritillary, Large Skipper,Northern Brown Argus, Grayling,Wall Brown, Six-spot Burnet,Mother Shipton, Cinnabar, SpeckledYellow, More information atwww.forestry.gov.uk (Torrs Warren)

7 Cree Valley Woodlandsand Glen TroolUpland glen with a mix of coniferplantations and ancient oak woods.North of Newton Stewart and eastof Glentrool Village. Several carparks: Glen Trool visitor centre(NX372785); Knockman Wood(NX408673); Wood of Cree(NX381708); Buchan and Glenheadwoods (NX415804). PurpleHairstreak, Small Pearl-borderedand Dark Green Fritillaries, ScotchArgus. More information atwww.creevalley.com

8 Knowetop LochsTwo lochans with surrounding birchwoodland, wetland and moorland.Near Balmaclellan, park besidethe A712 at NX706788. SmallPearl-bordered Fritillary, ScotchArgus, Large Heath, Also good fordragonflies. More information atwww.swt.org.uk

9 Rockcliffe toPort o’ WarrenA scenic coastal footpath.Park off the Colvend to Rockclifferoad (NX851535). Dingy and LargeSkipper, Northern Brown Argus,Holly Blue, Small Pearl-borderedand Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling,Wall Brown, Forester moth,Cinnabar, Six-spot Burnet. Moreinformation at www.nts.org.uk

10 Mabie and11 Dalbeattie Forests(see page across)

12 Kirkconnell FlowNational Nature ReserveRaised bog and pine/birchwoodland. 5 miles (8 km) southof Dumfries, signed off the A710road NX963702. Bus runs hourlyfrom Dumfries to New Abbey butinfrequent on Sundays. GreenHairstreak and Large Heath, withWall Brown frequenting the carpark. More information atwww.snh.org.uk

13 Earshaig to MosshopeCar park at Earshaig (NT050024)on the road west of Beattock.This walk leads through a coniferplantation, but the ride is widedue to a gas pipeline. LargeSkipper, Small Pearl-borderedand Dark Green Fritillary, ScotchArgus. More information atwww.southernuplandway.gov.uk

N.B. This information has been provided in good faith froma variety of sources, and Butterfly Conservation Scotlandcannot be responsible for errors etc. For information onpublic transport go to www.travelinescotland.com

10 Mabie ForestMabie Forest near Dumfriesis one of Scotland’s richestsites for butterflies, with over20 species being recorded.It is home to three of themost endangered butterfliesand moths in the UK: thePearl-bordered Fritillary, DingySkipper and the Forester moth.Other species include LargeSkipper, Green and PurpleHairstreak, Northern BrownArgus, Small Pearl-borderedand Dark Green Fritillaryand Wall Brown.

In 2007 the ForestryCommission and ButterflyConservation joined forcesto create the charity’s largestnature reserve, and theirsecond in Scotland. The naturereserve lies in the centre ofMabie Forest, its 100 hectarescomprising ancient oakwoodland, wetlands andgrassland. Interpretationboards through the reservehelp visitors to get the mostfrom their visit. The reserve isalso a haven for other wildlifesuch as dragonflies, batsand red squirrels.

Car park, toilets and apicnic area are located atthe entrance off the A710south west of Dumfries(NX950710).

11 Dalbeattie Forestalso has a good varietyof wildlife, including someimportant butterflies. It hasa good colony of DingySkipper on the forest trackswhere Common Bird’s-footTrefoil grows (NX865569).Leave Dalbeattie on theA710, heading south towardsColvend. All forest walksstart from the 'Town Wood'car park at NX837600(which is the first car parkon the left).

Dingy and Large Skipper,Pearl-bordered, SmallPearl-bordered and DarkGreen Fritillary, Wall Brown.

AccessPlease follow the Outdoor Access Code when visitingsites: www.outdooraccess-scotland.com

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25. Speckled WoodPararge aegeria47-50mmA butterfly of woodlands,this species is spreading withinthe region. It has been foundat sites on and near the Solwaycoast, along the Ayrshire coastaround Culzean, and on Arran.Males are often seen perchedin sunlit spots ready to defendtheir territory or interceptfemales, and they are on thewing from late April to lateOctober. The caterpillarsfeed on various grasses.

26. Wall BrownLasiommata megera44-46mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesFound along the Solwayand Ayrshire coasts, thisis a species which requiresgrasslands with patchesof bare ground for breeding.It is quite common whereit occurs, but has recentlyundergone massive declinesover most of England. It ison the wing in May andJune, and again, in greaternumbers, in August and earlySeptember. The caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses.

27. Scotch ArgusErebia aethiops35-40mmThe Scotch Argus breedsin tall damp grassland, andopen, wet woodland, wherethe caterpillars feed on avariety of grasses. In sunshinethe adult butterflies can bevery active, but cloudy weathercan cause them to stopflying completely. It is the lastbutterfly of the season toemerge, flying from late Julyuntil early September, andcan be very abundant.

28. GraylingHipparchia semele55-60mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesThe Grayling needs warm,sunny sites with bare groundand fine-leaved grasses, uponwhich the caterpillars feed. Itsnatural habitats include coastalcliffs, dunes and heaths, butit has been able to colonisemany ‘brownfield’ sites, suchas old quarries and railwaylines. The adult butterflies canbe hard to see at rest due totheir superb camouflage, andare on the wing from late Juneto early September.

29. Meadow BrownManiola jurtina50-55mmThe Meadow Brown can beseen in a variety of flower-richgrassland habitats, often inlarge numbers. The caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses.Males tend to be darker thanfemales, but the amount oforange on both is variable.A strong flier, it is on thewing from late June toearly September.

30. Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus34-38mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesAn inconspicuous butterflythat tends to fly only in brightconditions, and always keepsits wings closed at rest. It occursmostly on grasslands where thesward is short and where thereare fine-leaved grasses uponwhich the caterpillar feeds.Although widespread in Scotland,it has undergone massivedeclines in other parts of the UK.It has one generation per year,the adults being on the wingfrom mid-May to early August.

31. Large HeathCoenonympha tullia35-40mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesThe Large Heath is restrictedto wet, boggy habitats whereHare’s-tail Cottongrass, its mainfoodplant, grows. It always restswith its wings closed, but canbe distinguished from the SmallHeath by its duller colour andlarger size. It often has prominentspots on the hindwing, but theyare not always present. Fliesfrom early June to mid-August.

32. RingletAphantopus hyperantus48-52mmThe Ringlet has a very dark,velvety appearance and awhite ‘fringe’ to its wingswhen newly emerged. The‘ringlets’ on the under-wingsvary in number and sizeand can be virtually absent.It favours tall, damp grassland,where the caterpillars feedon a variety of grasses. It flies,even in dull conditions, fromlate June to August, and canbe very common.

DAY-FLYING MOTHS

The day-flying moths shown aresometimes mistaken for butterflies.There are probably several hundredspecies of moth that could be seen inthe region, but most only fly at night.

33. Six-spot BurnetZygaena filipendulae25-40mmThe striking red and blackcolour of the adults mean‘predators beware’ becausethe moth is packed with achemical defence in the formof cyanide! The caterpillarsare also poisonous and theyare thought to derive thesechemicals from their foodplant,Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil.It flies from late June to Augustin sunny, grassy places,especially along the coast.

34. CinnabarTyria jacobaeae34-46mmThe adult Cinnabar hassimilar coloration to theunrelated Six-spot Burnet,and is also poisonous to birds.In this case the poison, againobtained by the caterpillars,comes from Common Ragwort.The adults fly from mid-May toAugust in dry, grassy habitats,and occur widely in Dumfries& Galloway, and along theAyrshire coast. The caterpillarsare also conspicuous, havingyellow and black stripes.

35. ForesterAdscita statices22-30mmUK Biodiversity ActionPlan SpeciesThis striking metallic greenmoth is probably over-looked.Current records are only fromthe Solway coast and MabieForest. The caterpillar’sfoodplant, Common Sorrel isnot scarce, so we do not knowwhy this moth is so rare.

36. Chimney SweeperOdezia atrata24-30mmThis little moth is sometimesmistaken for the Small Bluebutterfly (see above). TheChimney Sweeper is entirelyblack, apart for the white edgesof its wing tips. The adults areon the wing between June andearly August. The caterpillarsfeed on the flowers and seedsof Pignut, and the moth canbe found in open woodlandsand flower-rich grasslands.

37. Speckled YellowPseudopanthera macularia25-30mmA common and widespreadmoth in the region, oftendisturbed from long grass onsunny days. The caterpillarsfeed on Wood Sage. On thewing May to June.

38. Mother ShiptonCallistege mi26-32mmThis moth gets its strangename from the wing patternwhich is reputed to resemblean old witch! The caterpillarsfeed on grasses and variouslegumes, such as WhiteClover and Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil. The adults areon the wing from early Maythrough to early July, andfound in sunny habitatswith flowery grasslands.

39. Emperor MothSaturnia pavonia55-85mmPerhaps the most spectacularof our day-flying moths -and the caterpillars are prettydistinctive as well! This is acommon species of moorland,found throughout the area.The caterpillars feed onheathers, bramble and otherwoody plants. The adults flyin spring, the males often seenspeeding across the moorsin search of females. Althoughstrikingly-coloured, thecaterpillars can be difficult tosee, having superb camouflageagainst the flowering heather.

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Get involved!There is still much to find out abouthow butterfly and moth populationsare changing and everyone canhelp - we really do need yourbutterfly and moth sightings.

Why?Recording is the foundation upon whichconservation of wildlife is based. It helps us toidentify population trends, identify importantsites, and can assess the effectiveness of habitatmanagement. Butterflies and moths can be quickto respond to changes to their environment.They therefore make excellent indicator species,capable of detecting changes due to newmanagement or the effects of climate change.You can record them in your garden or ventureto parts of the countryside you would otherwisenot visit. Above all though, it is easy, great fun,and very rewarding!

When?Choose warm, sunny days to look for butterfliesand moths, when they are more active. Alwaystake a map. Many paths are uneven so wearfootwear with good ankle support and for longerwalks take warm, waterproof clothing as weatherconditions can change quickly. A mobile phone,sun hat, snack and drink are good safety precautions.Let someone know where you have gone andwhat time you expect to be back. Rememberto take a notebook and pen too, to record yoursightings. Binoculars, digital camera and abutterfly net can also be useful.

Where?Most butterflies prefer sheltered sunny locationswith plenty of nectar. Several are specialistsand are restricted to a particular habitat. Otherspecies are very mobile, such as Red Admiraland Painted Lady, and can be seen almostanywhere. Your local park will almost certainlyhave a variety of butterflies, such as Peacock,Orange-tip, and Large, Small and Green-veinedWhite, especially if there are areas that havedeveloped naturally, or the local Council hassown an area with native flowers and grasses.Moths will probably not be so obvious, butwhy not look for them on National Moth Night?www.nationalmothnight.info

What?Butterfly recording comprises monitoring andsurveying. Monitoring is used to collect informationabout changes to individual populations or sites overtime, normally annually. Surveying is concerned withcollecting records from a number of different sites totry and gain a true picture of butterfly distributions.

To send us a record you need to provide thefollowing information; species name, how manyyou saw, location name, grid reference from anOrdnance Survey map, date, and your contactdetails. Records should be sent to your localbutterfly or moth recorder (see below) who verifiesand collates them and then sends them to anational database, where they will be analysed.One day your records could appear as dotson distribution maps!

Our records are co-ordinated regionallyby volunteers. Butterfly records go to:butterfly-recorder@southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk

Moth records go to:Keith Naylor, 4 James Ewart Avenue,Dalbeattie DG5 4UNkeith.naylor@talk21.com

Ayrshire: Neil Gregory, 32 Oldhall Drive,Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, PA13 4RFdroitwich@btinternet.com

Want to know more?The following books are recommended:

Britain’s Butterflies (2002) David Tomlinson& Rob Still. Photographic field guide.ISBN No. 1-903657-01-6

Butterflies of SW Scotland (2006) Keith Futteret al. Distribution maps with notes on habitat, localflight period, and sites. ISBN 978-095510862-4

Guide to butterflies of Britain and Ireland(2007) Jeremy. Thomas Excellent pocket guide.ISBN No. 13 978-0-540-08980-2

The State of Butterflies in Britain and IrelandRichard Fox et al (2006) The latest publisheddistribution maps. ISBN No. 1-874357-31-5

Concise guide to the Moths of Great Britainand Ireland (2007) Martin Townsend andPaul Waring. ISBN 978-0-9531399-6-5.

BUTTERFLIES

Dingy SkipperLarge SkipperSmall SkipperClouded YellowLarge WhiteSmall WhiteGreen-veined WhiteOrange-tipGreen HairstreakPurple HairstreakSmall CopperSmall BlueNorthern Brown ArgusHolly BlueCommon BlueRed AdmiralPainted LadySmall TortoiseshellPeacockCommaSmall Pearl-b'd FritillaryPearl-bordered FritillaryDark Green FritillaryWallSpeckled WoodScotch ArgusGraylingMeadow BrownRingletSmall HeathLarge HeathDAY-FLYING MOTHSSix-spot BurnetCinnabarForesterChimney SweeperSpeckled YellowMother ShiptonEmperor Moth

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flight Periods

Please note flight periods will vary depending on the weather.