Where are all the butterflies?

[annacruachan]

To date I have seen 3 cabbage white butterflies and 1 painted lady. Normally by June we would have had tortoiseshells, peacocks, browns, common blues, red admirals and burnet moths. Moths too seem to be absent from this area this year. Could it be that the cold start to the summer has killed off all the emergent butterflies and moths? Has anyone else noticed a dearth of them in other areas than the west coast of Scotland? I'm not too sad about the cabbage white, I have to say! The others are so lovely and an important part of the cycle of nature.

[HeyWayne]

The greenfly ate them!

[WrexTheDragon]

Tortoiseshells are rare this year, but so far no shortage of butterflies.

[srodders]

Should have been here a few week-ends back when the painted ladies were migrating. The wildlife section of the societe did spot counts and reckoned 50,000 passed through the island in one weekend - They were EVERYWHERE!

[Spangles]

Haven't seen any here in North Connel this year. A few moths around but that is all but according to Mr Spangles the moths flew out of my purse.

[annacruachan]

Looks as though this might be very local then. I'd be interested to know if anyone else in Scotland has noticed a shortage since our weather has been colder than further south.

[rana]

Butterfly populations go through peaks and troughs depending on the food source for their caterpillars and the brood cycle. This year it seems there have been many more butterflies around here and the damage to my nasturtiums and marjoram have confirmed this.

[annacruachan]

Butterfly populations go through peaks and troughs depending on the food source for their caterpillars and the brood cycle. This year it seems there have been many more butterflies around here and the damage to my nasturtiums and marjoram have confirmed this.

Sorry about the depredations on your plants; those little caterpillars are so hard to see until the damage is done. I really am concerned about the dearth of butterflies here since we have food plants in abundance, including my wonderful, untouched brassicas.

[SueA]

We've had a few cabbage whites & quite a few speckled wood butterflies but none of the colourful big ones, tortoiseshells, painted ladies, red admirals, commas etc. which we normally have around now. Have seen quite a few moths though including a very pretty magpie moth.

[burnie]

Lots of painted ladies over here(there's quite a few butterflies as well)

[annacruachan]

Must be something about Luing!! I did see one more cabbage white today.

[Madasafish]

2 cabbage whites.
August is buddleia time: we get hundreds of all types then...

[ginger ninger]

I've had quite a few different butterflys/moths in the garden so far this year, but not many cabbage whites (thank goodness)