It is getting close to that time of year again where our gardens will be filled with caterpillars, cocoons and beautiful butterflies. The sunlight shining off a butterfly’s wings is definitely a sight to see. The light seems to reflect the beauty of these insects even more. Similar to how light reflects and refracts through the glass of Chandeliers UK products like those from http://roccoborghese.com/
Here are some of the more common butterflies that you may see in your garden this summer:
- Peacock – One of the most numerous and unthreatened species of European butterflies. It has a very distinctive red colour, but the most striking thing is the black and white eye that is thought to ward off predators. This may explain the non-threatened status. It starts to appear in the spring through the summer.
- Speckled Wood – As suggested by the name, these butterflies are located near woodland. The can easily be spotted as the are covered by an orange and brown appearance. The speckling is black and gives the butterfly a spotty appearance.
- Common Blue – This beautiful blue butterfly is unfortunately now not so common. Its habitat has been slowly eroded away seeing a drop of ninety six percent in its numbers making it very threatened. Improvements and sanctuaries have been made though and the numbers appear to have stabilised. The problem is that the plants that host mating and larva and cocoons are being systematically destroyed as we lose grassland and woodlands. Special conservation measures have been taken to provide a more stable environment where these butterflies can safely breed has ben in place for many years. The male is a complete pale blue whereas the female is a darker blue with red mottling around the edges of the wings.
- Tortoiseshell – Once one of the most numerous and common of Britain’s butterfly’s it was an affirmation that Summer was here when one saw a gathering of this species. Environmentalists see it’s decline as an example of Global warming. It was strongest between 1975 and 1995 when the summer began wet and moved into a warm period. Scientists can find no solid reason for the decline other than this factor as the species does not do well in drought but that is not a common feature of Western Europe where the numbers have decreased significantly. This decline seems to be continuing and unless our habits change this species is going to be in trouble. It is a very distinct colour of orange with a black and white strip in the top of it’s wing. Underneath it is black grey colour completely different from the top to aid in its camouflage.
- Red Admiral – This striking butterfly is all black with vivid slashes of Orange and White blobs across its wings. It is an extremely territorial creature that will refuse to mate with other butterflies of its type outside of its area. It is quite a common sight.
