Order Lepidoptera – Butterflies

There are around 60 species of butterfly in the UK. Compared to the fast-flying, relatively dull coloured night-flying moths, we are all most familar with the brightly coloured and distinctly patterned butterflies seen laziliy fluttering around blooms in gardens or in flowery meadows. Like moths, butterflies have four stages in their life cycle. Eggs are laid by the female, the caterpillar/larva emerges and basically just eats. When ready it pupates, and within the pupa metamorphosis takes place where the caterpillar is magically transformed into a beautiful adult butterfly and takes to the air.

Family Nymphalidae (Nymphalids, Fritillaries & Browns)