BUTTERFLIES
SKIPPERS, WHITES AND BROWNS
Essex Skippers are similar in appearance to Small Skippers and many recorders treat them as an aggregate. To tell the two species apart the antennae MUST be viewed from the front. If they look like they have been dipped in black ink then it is an Essex Skipper. If not, it is a Small Skipper. This identification cannot be made by looking at the back of the antennae.
Large Skippers are usually found in grassy locations. Males often perch on bramble in sunny locations waiting for passing females. Males have a thick black line through the middle of fore-wing. A distinctive faint chequered pattern can be seen on the wing sides.
Orange-tip males are white with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.
The Large White is one of the largest butterfly species seen in Hainault Forest. It has a wingspan reaching 70mm across. The white forewings have black tips extending down the wing edge. Females have two spots on the forewings, not present in males. The wings have creamy-white undersides. Its caterpillars feed on plants in the Cabbage family.
The Small White is very much like the Large white, but smaller. The caterpillars feed on members of the Cabbage family.
The Green-veined White has white wings have prominent greenish veins on the hind wing. The upper wings have one or more spots. The caterpillars feed on plants in the Cabbage family.
The Clouded Yellow is an attractive immigrant normally originating from North Africa and Southern Europe. Numbers vary and some years we don't see them at all in Hainault Forest. If this species does turn up it is usually in ones and twos and hanging around Michaelmas Daisies near Hainault Lake.
Male Brimstone Butterflies have yellowish-green underwings and yellow uppers. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.
Speckled Wood is a common woodland butterfly with a wingspan of about 45mm. Often seen resting on bramble along woodland paths. Adults fly in two broods from April to early June and again from July to September. Males normally bask in sunlight and chase away trespassers encroaching on their territory. Both sexes visit tree tops to feed on honeydew made by aphids. This species rarely visits flowers to feed except early and late in the year when supplies of honeydew are low. The caterpillars feed on various grasses including false brome, cock's-foot and Yorkshire fog.
The Small Heath flies from May to September. Its larvae feed on a range of fine-leaved grasses. It has a preference for rough grassy locations.
The number and size of spots on a Ringlet's wings vary and sometimes the black rings are missing. This is a medium-sized species measuring up to 50mm across. Usually found flying near bramble along the shaded forest paths. The larval feed on coarse grasses.
Meadow Brown is possibly the most abundant butterfly flying in the meadows over low vegetation. Adults are spotted flying in dull weather when most other butterflies are inactive. They often rest with the wings shut.
The Gatekeeper is also known as the 'Hedge Brown'. Sexes are easy to tell apart because this butterfly spends a lot of time basking with wings open. Males have distinctive dark bars on the forewings. The larger female is usually lighter in colour.
Choose from the menu to learn more about the amazing world of wildlife in Hainault Forest...
© hainaultforest.net. All rights reserved.