Butterflies and moths belong to a family called ‘Lepidoptera’ which means ‘scaly wing’. Each wing is covered by thousands of tiny scales - as many as 600 scales per square millimetre of wing!
These scales are pigmented but are also different shapes and set at different angles which mean that they diffract light differently. It is these scales that give butterflies and moths their stunning colours and patterns and sometimes their incredible camouflage and disguise.
When it’s wings are closed the shape and veining on the wings of the Brimstone Butterfly ensure it looks just like a leaf as it hangs from a flower.
Brimstone butterfly by Gary Trew
As an adult, the scalloped edges and cryptic colour of the Comma Butterfly conceals it as it hibernates amongst the dead leaves.
Comma by Terry Hollands
Comma by Phil Thornton
As a caterpillar it is flecked with brown and white markings and has a remarkable resemblance to a bird dropping – what a masterful disguise!
The Peacock butterfly has a different tactic – rather than hiding the spectacular eyespots on its wings evolved to startle and confuse predators.
Peacock butterfly by Pete Hughes
Bright colours are often used by male butterflies to impress the ladies. The male Adonis Blue has vivid turquoise blue wings whilst the female has more subtle brown colouration – better to be secretive when laying her precious eggs. The Small Tortoiseshell also has brilliant bright colours, in this case shared by both male and female. The male attempts to woo the female by drumming on her wings with his antennae!
Small Tortoiseshell by Pete Hughes
July is the perfect time to search for beautiful butterflies and on the sunnier days you'll certainly see a great variety of them here at Pulborough Brooks. On a short walk this morning I was delighted to see Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Copper, Brimstone, Large White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Marbled White.
Between 14 July and 6 August 2023 you can take part in the Big Butterfly Count. Choose a place to spot butterflies and moths, watch for 15 minutes then record which species you see. You can download an ID chart and submit your sightings on the Big Butterfly Count website: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/