Life is like a butterfly!

The grasslands and meadows have been swamped recently with an influx of fresh Meadow Brown butterflies, but today I got to see my first Ringlet butterfly of the year. I do like this little butterfly, not because of any bright colours because it certainly lacks those, but for when it is resting and the under wing in particular shows off a line of rings - hence it's name.

The false eyes or spots - three on each fore-wing and five on each hind-wing, confuse birds as to the position of the butterflies vulnerable body. They can vary in both size and colour. Found from late June to August in wet grassy places, the corners of fields, ditches and woodland glades, they have  a life span of just two weeks. Although they fly on warm days, they will also fly on dull days and even in the rain. 

The caterpillars, which live for about eleven months, usually feed on grass during the night. If disturbed, they will drop onto the ground and lay very still.  Now here is a fascinating fact I didn't know - the females lay their eggs in flight, which they drop onto the common grasses which the young will eat in the autumn.

Also out and about today is one of the most colourful and easily identified of the butterflies - the Red Admiral. This is one of my favourites. The wings resembled the robes and livery colours of noblemen and dignitaries which also saw it having the name of 'alderman'. It's presence in Britain is boosted by migrants from the Continent. The first arrivals appear in May and produce the eggswhich gives rise to a resident generation. They often rest and sun themselves.

Gardeners recognise the Red Admiral as a common visitor to plants such as Michaelmas Daisies, Verbena and of course the Buddlea - aka the butterfly bush so called as they attract many species of butterflies to the deep strongly scented purple flowers. They absolutely love windfall apples when left on the ground - a scene captured by William Wordsworth in his poem 'To a butterfly: this plot of orchard ground is ours'. 

Unusually for a butterfly - it sometimes flies at night. It is a strong and fast flyer that will readily see off other butterfly species if need be, particularly when patrolling along hedgerows, woodland clearings and lanes.

Pictures copyright of N J Davies