Crimson Patch

Crimson Patch by Anne Toal

The Crimson Patch (Chlosyne janais), also known as the Janais Patch, is a common New World butterfly found from Colombia north through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional sightings in southeastern Mexico and northern Texas. The dorsal and ventral wing surface is black with several undulating rows of small white spots on the medial forewings and along all outer wing margins. On each dorsal hindwing is a medial orange-red patch situated anteriorly. The ventral hindwings have a fragmented yellow proximal patch bordered by a thick postmedial band of red that does not reach the wing margins; maximum wingspan is 4.8–6.7 cm.

Adults inhabit the periphery of lowland tropical to subtropical forests, fields, and along streams, where they feed on flower nectar. Reproduction is continuous in the tropics, whereas in temperate areas several broods are produced from July to November. The caterpillars are grey-white to green with several transverse rows of fleshly black spines; they feed primarily on acanthus shrubs, especially Anisacanthus wrightii and Odontonema callistachus (in Texas), upon which adult females lay their eggs.

The Crimson Patch can reach high numbers in the Rio Grande Valley, but the population is periodically killed off by cold snaps; the area is then recolonized by members of the Mexican population. A very similar species is the Rosita Patch (C. rosita), which is distinguished from the Crimson Patch by the former's lack of spots on the wing margins.

Regal Fritillary

Regal Fritillary by Matthew Ignoffo

Speyeria idalia, commonly known as the Regal Fritillary, is a striking nymphalid butterfly found among some of the remaining tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies in the east-central United States. This prairie-specialist butterfly has a characteristic deep orange color and unmistakable dark hindwings with two bands of spots (Brock 2003). On the female, both bands of spots are white. However, on the male, the outer band of spots is orange in color.

Females also tend to be slightly larger than males. The ventral surface of the hindwings is olive brown to black in color with bold silvery white spots (Selby 2007). The wingspan of S. idalia usually measures somewhere between 2.69 and 4.13 inches (Selby 2007). Flight is in the summertime from approximately June to September and adults tend to be swift in flight, coasting close to the ground (Brock 2003).

Regal fritillary larvae are approximately 0.08 inches long after they hatch and reach a length of approximately 1.75 inches when fully developed (Edwards 1879). The mature larvae have a black body with yellowish-orange bands and stripes. There are yellowish middorsal and lateral stripes and a number of dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral fleshy spines extending from the body. The head of the mature larvae is rounded and small, orangish-red on top and black underneath (Edwards 1879).

The larval food source for the regal fritillary and all members of the genus Speyeria are violets (Viola spp.) (Selby 2007). The violets are an extremely important component of habitat sustainability for the regal fritillary and there is a correlation between the number of violets present and the number of butterflies found in a given area (Kelly and Debinski 1998). Violet species that the larvae feed on include, Viola pedata (bird’s-foot violet), V. pedatifida (blue prairie violet), V. papilionacea (common blue violet), V. lanceolata (lance-leafed violet), V. nuttallii (Nuttall’s Violet) (Kelly and Debinski 1998), V. sagittata (arrowleaf violet), and V. tricolor (Johnny Jumpup) (Selby 2007). These various violet species are associated with the different areas of the regal fritillary’s range. For example, the bird’s-foot violet and the prairie violet tend to be the preferred larval food source for the regal in the Midwest and Great Plains regions (Selby 2007).

The adult butterflies may feed on a variety of nectar plants and their availability throughout the summer flight time can be as important as the presence of larval food plants in determining whether an area can support populations of butterfly species (Selby 2007). Milkweeds, thistles, coneflowers, blazing-stars, bergamots, clovers, goldenrods, and ironweeds are some of the most important nectar sources for adult regal fritillaries.

Milkweeds and thistles have been observed to be the preferred nectar source throughout the regal fritillary’s range (Selby 2007). These two types of plants provide a constant supply of nectar due to their staggered growth times. Common milkweed starts blooming when male regal fritillaries begin to emerge early in the summer and thistles tend to bloom later in the season which is crucial to females approaching oviposition (Selby 2007).

Gonepteryx cleopatra

Gonepteryx cleopatra by Hermosell

Gonepteryx cleopatra by Ernestino Maravalhas

Gonepteryx cleopatra (also called Cleopatra or Cleopatra butterfly) is a medium sized butterfly of the family Pieridae, that is native to the Mediterranean region (Southern Europe, North Africa and Anatolia).

Brimstone Butterfly

Brimstone Butterfly by nutmeg66

The Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) is a butterfly of the Pieridae family. In much of its range, it is the only species of its genus, and this conspicuous butterfly is therefore simply known as "the brimstone" locally.

Brimstone Butterfly by ukstormchaser

Found in Europe, Asia, and even north Africa, it is one of the longest lived butterflies, living up to thirteen months, although most of this time is spent in hibernation.

On the upper side the male is sulphur yellow and the female white with a greenish tinge but both have an orange spot in the center of each wing. They never settle with their wings open and from the underside the sexes are more difficult to separate but the female is still paler.

Their wing shape is unique among British butterflies (although there are similar, closely related species in southern and eastern Europe) and is designed to act as camouflage while they rest and during hibernation. Widely distributed across the southern half of the UK, it has been steadily increasing its range in the north of England but is limited by the distribution of its larval foodplants and is quite possibly close to its maximum possible distribution now unless their foodplants' range also increases. In Ireland it has a much more localised distribution.

It is widespread across Europe, North Africa and eastwards to Mongolia Often the first butterfly to be seen in the spring, sometimes as early as January when hibernating adults are awoken on a sunny day, there is a popular myth that it is this butterfly which gave us the word BUTTERFLY, a corruption of butter-coloured fly. They are very camoflaged and they look like leaves.

Small Heath

Small Heath by Ian-S

The Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus is a butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, (subfamily Satyrinae, commonly known as "the Browns"). It is widespread in Eurasia and northwestern Africa, preferring drier habitats than other Coenonymphae. The larval host plants are grasses, notably Sheep's Fescue.

Small Heath by benwmbc

The butterfly loosely resembles a small Meadow Brown, but the brown colour of the wings appears noticeably paler in flight. Unlike the Meadow Brown and other common members of Satyrinae, the Small Heath is a lateral basker, only ever resting with its wings closed and angled at 90° to the sun.

Small Heath by gillean55

The larvae have lifespans of varying length, even within the same climate, thus the imagines of one generation may be seen over a long period. The butterfly usually has two, occasionally three, broods and is on the wing from mid May until early October (late June to mid August in colder climates). The insect overwinters in its larval stage.

The Small Heath, like its cousin the Wall Brown, has been in serious decline across much of southern England for reasons unclear, and was accordingly designated as a UK BAP Priority Species (research only) by DEFRA in 2007.

Question Mark

Question Mark butterfly by NaturalLight

Question Mark butterfly by Daisy Mai-ling

Polygonia interrogationis or Question Mark butterfly is a North American nymphalid butterfly called the Question Mark. They live in wooded areas and city parks, or generally in areas which feature trees and free spaces. The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7,5 cm). Its flight period is from May to September.

Peacock Butterfly

Peacock Butterfly by Glockenblume

The European Peacock butterfly (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the Peacock butterfly, is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe and Asia. It is the only member of the genus Inachis which is sometimes included in Nymphalis. It should not be confused or classified with the "American peacocks" in the genus Anartia; these are not close relatives of the present species. The peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring.

Peacock Butterfly by sunsetoneuk

The butterfly hibernates over winter before laying its eggs in early spring, in batches of up to 500 at a time. The caterpillars, which are shiny black with six rows of barbed spikes and a series of white dots on each segment, hatch after about a week and feed on nettles and hops.

The adult butterflies drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, including buddleia, willows, dandelions, wild marjoram, danewort, hemp agrimony, and clover; they also utilize tree sap and rotten fruit.

Common Snout Butterfly

Common Snout Butterfly by jim_mcculloch

Libytheana carinenta, the American or Common Snout Butterfly, is a member of the Libytheinae subfamily, in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. This species is found in both North and South America. The larval host plants are Celtis spp. on which the eggs are laid singly. Massive migrations of this species often attract attention in the Texas and Mexican newspapers.

Common Snout Butterfly by Juggler Jim

Snout butterflies have prominent elongated mouthparts (labial palpi) which, in concert with the antennae, give the appearance of the petiole (stem) of a dead leaf. Snouts often take advantage of their brilliant camouflage by hanging upsidedown under a twig, making them nearly invisible. Wings are patterned black-brown with white and orange markings.

The fore wings have a distinctive squared off, hook-like (falcate) tip. Caterpillars appear humpbacked, having a small head, swollen first and second abdominal segments, and a last abdominal segment that is tapered and rounded. They are dark green with yellow stripes along the top and sides of the body, and have two black tubercles on the top of the thorax.

Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary by mattberry

The Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.

The Marsh Fritillary is in decline in Europe and one of 11 butterflies covered by the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan. The UK distribution can be seen on the National Biodiversity Network.

The adult butterflies are marked in checkered marking of gold and brown with a black background. The underside of the wings is patterned with yellow orange and black without any silver coloration at all. The eggs are yellow identified by being in a large batch,and the larvae are black.

Marsh Fritillary by camerar

The Marsh Fritillary is usually to be found in damp heathy grasslands which are called Rhos Pastures from the Welsh word Rhos meaning Heath. but the species does exist in other types of habitats which are drier, like neutral grasslands or dry calcareous grasslands. Small populations may be seen where there is not a lot of the larval foodplant present. Small populations can be an important element of the ecology because they can produce lots of mobile individuals which can found other populations.

The Marsh Fritillary is protected under British Law. It is listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, also the EC Habitats and Species Directive (Annex II).

The butterflies fly from the April until July depending on latitude and altitude.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak by TJCLARK

Nymphalis antiopa, known as the Mourning Cloak in North America and the Camberwell Beauty in the British Isles, is a large butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. The immature form of this species is sometimes known as the spiny elm caterpillar. Other older names for this species include Grand Surprise and White Petticoat. A powerful flier, this species is sometimes found in areas far from its usual range during migration. It is also the State Insect of Montana.

Mourning Cloak by The Nature Nook

Pipevine swallowtail

Pipevine swallowtail by rise888

The Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly (Battus philenor)is a swallowtail butterfly found in North and Central America.

Pipevine swallowtail by gracie328

The butterfly ranges from southern Canada southwards across USA to Mexico, Islas Marías and onto Guatemala and Costa Rica.

In the United States, the butterfly is found in New England down to Florida, from Southern Ontario (Canada) to Nebraska, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon and New Mexico.

Pipevine swallowtail by Franco Folini

The upper surface of the hind wings of the male butterfly has an iridescent metallic blue sheen. The hindwings also have a series of pale, arrow-head markings above and a single row of seven round orange spots, which never touch, set in an iridescent blue field below.

The forewings are dull blackish-brown.

California Tortoiseshell

California Tortoiseshell by Bill Bouton

The California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.

The California Tortoiseshell is known for having population explosions which cause the butterflies to migrate to new areas. The cause of these seemingly random population explosions is unknown. Their larvae eat various species of Ceanothus.

It is recognized for the top of its wings being orange with big black spots (used mainly for camouflage). The underside of its wings look literally like a dead leaf, because when it has its wings up during rest it looks like a dead leaf on the ground. Its wingspan varies from 3.2–7 cm (1¼–2¾ inches).