Record numbers again

GH, LN and BG walked transect 6 on a gloriously warm and sunny afternoon. Amazingly, this latest count of 252 butterflies followed those of weeks 4 and 5 by exceeding the previous week's total by around 50 and giving us another record count for the third successive week. This was mainly due to the continuing increase in Dingy Skipper numbers but also a strong showing from Brimstones, Grizzled Skippers, Holly Blues and Small Heaths and the first Common Blues, Brown Argus and Small Blues of the season. 
​And finally, after our disappointment last week, we also had the pleasure of recording our first Painted Lady of the year!

Count details:
​104 Dingy Skipper
51 Brimstone
22 Small Heath
21 Holly Blue
19 Grizzled Skipper
10 Green Hairstreak
8 Common Blue
6 Small Copper
4 Peacock
3 Orange Tip
1 Brown Argus
1 Painted Lady (pictured above)
1 Small Blue
1 Speckled Wood
Count Summary:
​252 butterflies from 14 species.

For more info on the species mentioned, visit butterfly-conservation.org

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) – the globe-trotting butterfly (pictured above)

• One of the world’s greatest insect migrants, Painted Ladies travel thousands of miles from North Africa and southern Europe to reach the UK.
• Unlike many butterflies, they don’t overwinter in Britain – each year’s population arrives as fresh migrants and their descendants continue the journey north.
• Their caterpillars feed on a surprisingly wide range of plants, especially thistles, mallows and nettles.
• When to see them in the UK: Most commonly seen from May–October, with numbers varying greatly depending on migration success.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF WEBSITE 

Ermine Moth caterpillars - Graham Kenward

Ermine Moth caterpillar webs - Liz North

Ermine Moth Caterpillars (Yponomeuta species) – tiny caterpillars with a talent for teamwork.

• These caterpillars spin huge silken communal webs that can completely cover bushes and small trees (even grass in Chipstead valley), creating an eerie ‘ghostly’ appearance.
• Hundreds of caterpillars may live together inside a single web, feeding safely on the leaves beneath their protective silk blanket.
• Despite stripping branches bare, the host plants usually recover quickly once the caterpillars pupate and move on.
• You will most likely see the webs and active caterpillars between May and June. The adult moths, which are white with black dots (resembling ermine fur), emerge in July and August

This week's survey by Graham Harris, Brian Gardner and Liz North submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
​Report by GK, BG & AI.
​Painted Lady header photo: Brian Gardner.