Saw This Lovely Butterfly Yesterday!

[Rhona]

This little lovely settled on the hydrangea in the front garden as I chatted on 'phone yesterday. Taken through glass so not brilliant, but first one I've seen all summer despite our best efforts to attract them!!!

[shirlthegirl43]

Gorgeous, thanks for sharing.

[Flytrap]

Very colourful. A Peacock I believe.

[Capsid]

Yes a peacock. I've not seen a painted lady this year though.

[HeyWayne]

Yes a peacock. I've not seen a painted lady this year though.

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I though those were Red Admirals? That's what we called them as kids anyway.

[Capsid]

No, this is a red admiral.

[Two_Sheds]

I had 7 small tortoiseshells on my Buddleja yesterday

[HeyWayne]

Aha! It's been a while since I went out butterfly catching.

[Two_Sheds]

and 4 Cabbage Whites, but I caught them and pulled their wings off

[Two_Sheds]

we've been finding these in our garden too. Huge, bigger than a bumble bee. At first I thought "hornet", but I suspect it's a cunningly-disguised-as-a-hornet Hoverfly (it's got those big hoverfly eyes)

[Flytrap]

Yep that's a hoverfly (Volucella zonaria - a big one).
Here's a link to a photo.
Click here!

[bluemoon]

Gorgeous. We had loads of Peacock butterflies last year, but I haven't seen a single one all summer.

[Headfry]

Wow lovely pictures thanks folks!
Not seen a single tortoiseshell this year, very worried.
Loads of bumble bees about, mostly on the honeysuckle....good news!

[Janco]

I had 7 small tortoiseshells on my Buddleja yesterday

Super to see small tortoiseshell butterflies. We used to see loads of them until very recently and so far this year NONE. We have various patches of stinging nettle for them to lay eggs on but obviously no longer around. Weather for the last 2 years hasn't helped!

[Two_Sheds]

Funnily enough, I do keep a patch of nettles on my allotment, and I do recall seeing it covered with caterpillars earlier in the year. This is my reward!

Other butterflies who depend on nettles here: Butterflies