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Butterfly Survey
Durham Wildlife Trust is attempting to gather information on sightings of three species of butterfly. The species concerned have either a variable distribution in the County or appear to be recolonising the County after an absence of many years, making any records of great interest.
The Trust will be sharing any information received with Butterfly Conservation, the national charity that champions the conservation of moths and butterflies. In the UK we have lost 5 of our 59 resident butterfly species, with half of the remainder threatened, and moth species are also in decline, with 62 species becoming extinct in the UK in the 20th century and over 50 of our 900 larger species are now highly threatened. For more information on Butterfly Conservation and the current status of butterflies and moths in the UK visit their excellent website www.butterfly-conservation.org.
Holly Blue ( Celastrina argiolus ) - Found in gardens, parks and woods, unlike the other blue butterflies which are grassland species. Seen from March to September, the Holly blue is the only blue butterfly species with a blue underside to the wing, and the females have black tips on the end of their wings.
Speckled Wood ( Pararge aegeria ) - As the name suggests, this is a woodland butterfly found in glades and on the woodland edge, but can also be found along lanes and in gardens. This species can be seen on the wing from March to October and it has a variable distribution that appears to be climate dependent to some degree. It has a distinctive brown and cream colouration and is often seen perching on sunlit vegetation and on leaves feeding on aphid honeydew.
Grayling ( Hipparchia semele ) - A butterfly primarily of coastal areas, this species is found in a variety of habitats from sand dunes to old quarries and areas of heath. Of the three species the grayling is probably the least distinctive at a glance, as it could possibly be confused with the meadow brown, a common grassland butterfly. The adult butterfly can be seen on the wing from June to September, but because of its excellent camouflage it is likely to be seen rising from the ground when accidentally disturbed. A key point for identification is graylings always settle with their wings closed.
Please use the survey form to tell us if you have seen these butterflies.
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