As we draw into late summer it's only fitting to take a look at some of the stunning insects we share Langstone Harbour with. Today it's time for our lepidopteran fauna to take central stage.
First up is a beautiful Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus).
This one is taking a bit of time out roosting. In less than sunny weather you can often see them doing this, head down on a variety of grass stems. Around Langstone Harbour, their most likely foot plants are Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and Black Medick (Medicago lupulina). As the name implies, these butterflies with blue upper winged males are relatively common, so keep an eye out.
Next we have a Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus).
If you spot a blue upper winged butterfly come to rest after fluttering quite high in the sky and it's underwings look like this, you can be pretty sure it's a Holly Blue you're looking at. The upper wings (out of sight here) are mostly blue with bands of black that vary between males and females. You'll not be surprised to learn that it's caterpillars feed on Holly (Ilex aquifolium). However, just like the song, you can also find them munching their way though Ivy (Hedera helix).
Leaving the blues to one side, let's take a look at a lovely Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). Check it out drinking some sweet sweet nectar from a Creeping Thistle!
This species has evolved leaf like wings for camouflage, quite different to the colourful displays we often associate with butterflies. Nevertheless, the very word 'Butterfly' may originate from a description of the butter hued wings above. Also, unlike the others we've looked at so far, this species larval foodplant is a tree. It's caterpillars gouge themselves on the Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) around the local area before pupating elsewhere.
Similarly coloured but very different is the Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).
Clouded Yellows find it very difficult to survive the winter in the UK and (apart from sites on the south coast and mild years) make their way over to us from the Mediterranean each year. This one here is likely the second or third generation of an immigrant from earlier in the year. Once they make the crossing, they lay their eggs on clovers and usually can reproduce for three generation before our harsher climate makes things tough for them.
Lastly, but not least for this installment of the Langstone Blog, we have a well known classic in the form of a Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae).
It's one of the most recognised British Butterflies and it's easy to see why. Those beautiful orange, black and white wings are a common site throughout the British spring and summer. Be sure to be careful if you find it's caterpillers though, they reside on another well known but often less appreciated species; the common stinging nettle!
I hope you've all enjoyed this quick tour of some of our local butterflys. Remember, everyone can get involved in citizen science to help improve our knowledge of the nature around us. If you love butterflies, why not help record them by becoming a volunteer here with us or even submitting a report to Butterfly Conservation. Have fun!
(Photo's supplied by local RSPB volunteers and helpers Tom Bickerton, Marianne Eagles and Michael Johnstone).