Gallery - Admirals, Emperors and Vanessids.

Admirals,Emperors and Vanessids. (Nymphalidae)

A worldwide group of several thousand medium-sized species,with about 70 representatives in Europe. All the species have reduced forelegs and most are colourful,strong flying butterflies. The upper-side colour pattern usually differs from that of the underside, but males and females resemble each other fairly closely. The caterpillars are generally covered in spines. The chrysalids are often ornamented with shiny gold or silver markings and are suspended from hooks at the tail end.

Peacock Butterfly (Inachis io)

This common butterfly is found throughout Europe except Northern Scotland and Northern Scandinavia. It can be found anywhere there is a good supply of suitable flowers, especially parks and gardens up to around 2000m. The caterpillars live in groups and will often wander some distance from the food plant to start pupating.

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

This common butterfly is found throughout most of Europe except for the far north. In the U.K it is only found in southern England and Wales.It prefers open woodland, hedgerows,parks and gardens up to about 2000m. There are two broods each year,the catapillar is brown with black markings and a large patch on the back.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Common Butterfly that is resident only in southern Europe, but every year it migrates northwards reaching every part of the continent. it can be found wherever there are flowers and is a common sight in gardens. The caterpillar lives inside a folded leaf all through its development and when fully grown often wanders some distance from the food plant before pupating.

White Admiral (Ladoga camilla)

This is a woodland butterfly, prefering damp places up to around 1500m and is very attracted tobramble flowers.

Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui)

Summer visitor from Africa and is unable to survive the winter except perhaps in the extreme south. However it is a common sight everywhere during the summer.Migrants produce one possibly two broods each year.

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychioros)

This butterfly prefers open woodland and forest edges and in spring can often be seen feeding from sallow catkins.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Found throughout Europe, probably one of the most popular butterflies seen in gardens where they favour Budleia and Sedum flowers.

Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)

This woodland species is found in the UK in small numbers and very localised. It normally flies high in the trees coming down only to feed on carrion, dung and tree-sap.

• Home
• About me
• Blog
• Terms & Conditions
• Contact

© Simon Thurgood 2024
Images on this website may not be put as any part of any collection without any prior written permission.