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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
My bird photos HERE
This one in the photo looks like a Small Pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) have a look here www.lepiforum.de/lepiwiki.pl It must have been a good winter & they all survived hibernation & are looking to turn into Pupa. Please take advice before they are eradicated as they don't seem to be a health problem. Will try & find out more. Any more photos? Where are you?
It could also be a Pearl-bordered fritillary which is a PROTECTED species. Please, please contact these people for advice butterfly-conservation.org/.../pearl-bordered-fritillary . It's odd to get an invasion, but these things happen!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Paul A said:My argument would be why should we eradicate them? Perhaps it’s us that are invading their spaces. I think we’re too quick to want to destroy anything that we don’t like the look of.
I quite agree!
WendyBartter said:Know what you're referring to H but can't for the life of me bring name to mind ... well documented annual event!
If you scroll down on this page they have various contact places https://butterfly-conservation.org/
Hi, There is more information here https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=euphrosyne . I'm just going into panic mode here, is there anybody there? Srusht, have you understood that you most likely have a harmless PROTECTED species there.
It is quite likely that the butterfly consevration people will want to remove some of them to a safe place where they can re-introduce them. Please get in touch!
Well, I've phoned the Butterfly Conservation people & sent on the photo & this is their response Dear Hazel, Thank you for sharing this information and image. I have spoken to some of the experts here who believe this to be a Small Tortoiseshell caterpillar, in the early stages. They do tend to nest in groups and if there is a lot of nettle in the area, chances are there could be more than one nest. This species has been in decline and we would strongly encourage that they are left alone. We appreciate that people may be alarmed by them but this stage will not last a long time and will be a beautiful site once they hatch. I hope this helps but please do contact me if you need further information. Kind regards Vikki
This is what you'll be seeing if you leave them alone