If you are coming on a self catering
summer holiday to Plas Farm, see how many of these you can spot!
Top Row - From Left to Right
1. Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
The word butterfly was probably first used to describe this butter-coloured
insect. "Butterfly" eventually came to include all species
and the brimstone acquired its present name which relates to the
colour of sulphur. This butterfly is a powerful flyer and is sometimes
seen fluttering over the holiday cottages, looking for flowers
from which to drink nectar. The shape and colour of its wings
allows it to blend in with the surrounding vegetation.
2. Meadow Brown (Female) Maniola
jurtina
Wales's commonest butterfly is the meadow brown which may be spotted
in all the fields, feeding on grass. The female is brighter than
the male - an unusual feature as male butterflies are normally
the more colourful. The large false eyes on its forewings serve
confuse predatory birds about the position of the body, giving
the butterfly a greater chance of survival. Meadow Browns are
always on the wing on sunny days in the fields around the cottages
but unlike many other butterflies they will fly on dull days,
and even in drizzle. In spite of their false eyes, they are often
caught and eaten by birds.
3. Small White Pieris rapae
The small white is the second most common butterfly in
Wales. Its fore-wings have black tips, with one black spot on
the males and two on the females. Their caterpillars' food plants,
wild and cultivated members of the cabbage family, grow almost
everywhere, so small whites are seen throughout Britain.
Middle Row - From Left to Right
4 . Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
The ringlet is the only British butterfly with so many prominent
false eyes on the underside of both fore-wing and hind-wing. It
loves wet grassy places and in keeping with its dull colouring,
it even flies on dull days. With a life span of two weeks, I suppose
it can't afford to be too choosy. This picture was taken on the
rushy hillside pasture behind the holiday cottages. It is widespread
in southern Britain apart from the London area where is completely
absent.
5. Small Heath Coenonympha
pamphilus
The small heath is very common throughout Wales and may
be seen in many of the fields at Plas Farm. The higher up the
hill you walk, the more likely you are to find this little butterfly
- often just resting on a piece of grass.
6. Grayling Hipparchia semele
To see Wales's largest brown butterfly, you will need
to make the 45 minute hike from your holiday cottage to the top
of Mynnydd Marchywel mountain where you are likely to find it
settled on stony or earthy ground. It rarely visits wild flowers
for nectar and is believed to drink sap from oak and pine trees.
It lands after a short flight, retracts its wings and tilts over
sideways to the sun so as not to cast an obvious shadow. This
butterfly is relatively uncommon and is restricted to the coastal
regions of Britain. As an aside, I have discovered that this butterfly
seems to enjoy landing on people - especially those wearing blue
jeans.
Bottom Row - From Left to Right
1. Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus
The Holly Blue is unique among British butterflies as its caterpillars
have different food plants at different times of the year - holly
in spring and ivy in the autumn. Holly trees in spring and ivy-bound
trees and walls in summer attract this small butterfly. The one
in the picture was spotted on the horse chestnut tree outside
Bwthyn Y Saer holiday cottage.
2. Green Veined White Pieris
napi
Similar to the small white but with veins under the wings picked
out in streaks of green-black scales. Males exude a strong scent
of lemon verbena, probably used in courting.
3. Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
The caterpillar of this butterfly
eats a variety of common dock and sorrel species which live at
the farm. It is always found near flowers and can be seen darting
around to intercept other butterflies that fly into its territory.
This species is the sole remaining member of the British coppers.
This picture was taken at the edge of some woodland on the hillside
at Plas Farm.
