Butterflies and day-flyingmoths of Tayside & Fifean identification guide

Butterflies and moths are beautiful insects and a joy toobserve. This guide will help you identify all the butterfliesand some of the common day-flying moths that occur inPerthshire and Angus (outside of the Cairngorms NationalPark), Fife and Dundee.

The chart inside shows which species are on the wing at agiven time, and suggests some of the best and most easilyaccessible places in the region for you to see them. We hopethis leaflet will encourage you to learn more about thesebeautiful insects, and to send us your records.

Dark Green Fritillary

Scotland OfficeBalallan House 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QGTel: 01786 447753 Email: scotland@butterfly-conservation.orgwww.butterfly-conservation.org

Butterfly ConservationCompany, limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468).Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP.Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)

Photographs by: Jim Asher, Ken Barry, Peter Burgess, Peter Eeles, Dave Green, Neil Gregory, Paul Kirkland, Tony Mainwood,Richard Mearns, Mark Parsons, Nicolas Picozzi, Paul Pugh, Scott Shanks, Robert Thompson, Martin Warren and David Whitaker.Map: © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2011

Printed on 100% recycled paper made from post-consumer waste bc0125

Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity, with 15,000 members (over 1000 in Scotland).We work closely with local communities, landowners, the Scottish Government,Scottish Natural Heritage and other conservation partners to safeguard Scotland’sbutterflies and moths and their habitats, by:

� Advising landowners on managing land for butterflies and moths.

� Carrying out surveys, monitoring and research on our most threatened species.

� Training volunteers to enable them to take action for butterflies and moths.

� Making recommendations to the Scottish Government on its environmental policies.� Encouraging everyone to cherish and enjoy butterflies and moths.

Join us!You can support us in this vital work by joining Butterfly Conservation. With anannual membership you will receive an interesting and informative welcome pack,a colourful magazine Butterfly three times a year and membership of your localbranch of Butterfly Conservation. Our local branches run public butterfly and mothevents throughout the year. To join on-line or for further information, please goto www.butterfly-conservation.org. To find out what is going on in your area,go to www.eastscotland-butterflies.org.uk

1. Clouded YellowColias croceus57-62mmA migrant to the UK fromthe Continent, this butterfly isseen in low numbers in mostyears, but occasionally itarrives in very large numbers.It is most frequently seenbetween May and Septemberalong the coast, but it cannotsurvive the winter.

2. Large WhitePieris brassicae63-70mmThis is our largest whitebutterfly and a strong flier.The caterpillars feed onbrassicas such as Cabbageand Broccoli, and are thereforedisliked by gardeners. It isdistinguishable from the SmallWhite by its larger size, darkerblack wing-tips extendingfurther down the wing edge,and bolder spots. It can beseen on the wing from Juneto September, when localpopulations are supplementedby migrants from furthersouth and the Continent.

3. Small WhitePieris rapae38-57mmThe caterpillars feed onbrassicas, but they cause lessdamage than those of theLarge White. Easily confusedwith the Green-veined Whitewhich is similar in size, but theupperside has dark tips tothe forewings, and it lacks thegreen veins on the undersideof the wing. It is one of thefirst butterflies to be seen inspring and flies all summer.

4. Green-veined WhitePieris napi40-52mmGenerally this is the mostcommon species of the whitesto be seen in the countryside.Unlike the two “cabbage whites”above, the Green-veined Whitefeeds on wild crucifers and isnot a garden pest. The greenveins on the underside of thewing distinguish this from otherwhite butterflies and moths,but they can fade with wearand are less distinct in secondgeneration butterflies. One ofthe first butterflies of spring,it flies all summer.

5. Orange-tipAnthocharis cardamines45-50mmMales are unmistakable withtheir bright orange wing-tips,but females have no orangeso could be confused withSmall or Green-veined Whites.However, Orange-tips havemore rounded wing tips anddistinctive mottled greenundersides that can be seenfaintly through the upperwing.Their distinctive orange eggscan be found on the caterpillars’food plants - crucifers such asCuckoo Flower, Garlic Mustard,Honesty and Dame’s Violet.Flies mid-April to June.

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YELLOWS & WHITES

‘UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species’ are those listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan(UK BAP). These are the most threatened species in the UK, and are either undergoingrapid declines, or have UK populations of European or international importance. What actionis needed for each species and habitat is determined at a combination of UK, country,regional and local levels.

Local Biodiversity Action Plans co-ordinate action to conserve wildlife at the local level.Action on the ground cannot take place without the enthusiasm of local people, and oftendepends on partnerships between communities, landowners, businesses, voluntaryand public organisations, and the Council. www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk orwww.fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.com/biodiversity_1_2_25.html

6. Green HairstreakCallophrys rubi27-34mmDespite the bright greenappearance of this small butterfly,which sits with its wings closed,it is often difficult to spot. Itprefers warm, sheltered sitesnear woodland or along thescrubby edges of moorlandwhere its caterpillars feed onBlaeberry (Bilberry), Gorse andheathers. The Green Hairstreakflies from mid-April to June.

7. Purple HairstreakFavonius (=Neozephyrus) quercus37-39mmA striking butterfly, but verydifficult to see as it feeds onhoneydew in the canopy ofoak and other trees. The adultbutterflies are best looked forin late afternoon or earlyevening on warm days whenthey can be seen by scanningthe tops of the oak trees withbinoculars. Occasionally theyfly down to nectar on brambleand other flowers. Thecaterpillars feed only on Oak.Flies from late July to earlySeptember. There are fewrecords from the area, probablydue to under-recording, butrecords show it is presentnear Auchterarder and Perth.

8. Small CopperLycaena phlaeas32-35mmThis dainty butterfly is awidespread species found ina range of habitats, includinggardens. Its caterpillars feed onCommon and Sheep's Sorrel.The spring and summer broodscan overlap, so adults can beseen from late April to lateSeptember, although they arerarely abundant. The butterflycan often be seen nectaringon ragwort in the late summer.

9. Small BlueCupido minimus20-30mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe smallest butterfly in the UK,this dusky-coloured speciesnow occurs at just a few sitesalong the Angus coast and atjust one or two remaining inlandsites. It once occurred on thedisused railway lines aroundFriockheim. It was recordedmany years ago fromCarlingnose but is now almostcertainly extinct in Fife. The solecaterpillar foodplant is KidneyVetch. The day-flying andmuch more common ChimneySweeper moth is rather similar,but the Small Blue has a whiteborder extending all around thewing. Flies from mid-May tolate July.

10. Northern Brown ArgusPlebeius (= Aricia) artaxerxes26-35mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesWhen newly-emerged this smallbutterfly has beautiful deep,velvety brown upper wings. Itcould be confused with a femaleCommon Blue, which can occurin the same habitats, but thepattern on the undersides andthe white spot on each forewingdistinguish it. Adults fly fromearly June to August. Coloniescan be found by searching forits conspicuous white eggs laidon the upper side of the leavesof its sole food plant, CommonRock-rose. It occurs widely inPerthshire and Angus whereverthe food plant occurs, primarilyon steep, open sunny slopeswhere there is plenty of bareground. It can also be foundat one or two isolated sitesalong Fife’s south coast.

11. Common BluePolyommatus icarus29-36mmA widespread butterfly foundin a variety of grassy habitatsalmost anywhere its caterpillar'sfoodplant, Bird's-foot Trefoil,occurs. The beautiful andbrightly-coloured males are veryconspicuous, while the femalesare generally blue-brown withdistinctive orange spots. Itusually has just one generationa year, the adults flying betweenJune and September.

12. Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus30-35mmThis species has beenrecorded sporadically onthe Fife coast in recent years,and now seems to be nowwell-established across theForth in Edinburgh. Therecords suggest it is movingnorthwards, so one to lookout for! Check its silvery-blueunderwings for identification.Of the blue butterflies it is theone most likely to be seenin gardens or parks, as it isnot dependent on flower-richgrasslands, like the Commonand Small Blues. There aretwo generations per year andit is on the wing primarily inApril/May and August. In earlyspring the caterpillars feedon Holly, while in the summerIvy is the main foodplant.

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13. Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta67-72mmThis is a familiar and distinctivegarden butterfly that migrates tothe UK every year from southernEurope and North Africa. It canbreed in Scotland but rarelysurvives our winters. The majorinflux starts in late May and isreinforced until August, withadults being seen until Novemberin good years. The caterpillarsfeed on Stinging Nettles.

14. Painted LadyVanessa cardui64-70mmAnother migrant, this speciesis unable to over-winter in anypart of the UK and re-coloniseseach year from mainland Europeand Africa, sometimes inspectacular numbers, as in2009. Painted Ladies can oftenbe seen congregating in areaswith thistles, which serve asboth a foodplant for thecaterpillars and a nectar sourcefor the adults. The peak ofimmigration usually occurs inJune, and adults can be seenuntil October or November.

15. Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae50-56mmThis well-known butterflycan be seen in most monthsof the year in almost anyhabitat. The caterpillars feedon Stinging Nettles growing insunny conditions, favouringfresh young leaves. It over-winters as an adult and is oneof the first butterflies to emergein the spring. In autumn adultsare regularly found in houses,sheds and outbuildings seekinghibernation sites. It has beenmuch less common in recentyears, the reasons for whichare being researched.

16. PeacockAglais (=Inachis) io63-69mmAn unmistakable butterfly anda regular garden visitor, thePeacock has become a verycommon butterfly in recentyears. Often one of the firstbutterflies to be seen in thespring having overwintered asan adult, its summer brood canbe seen from July to September,in much larger numbers. Itscaterpillars feed on the youngleaves of Stinging Nettles.

17. CommaPolygonia c-album55-60mmAn unmistakeable butterflywith ragged wings, theComma hibernates over winterand emerges in early spring,producing a second generationfrom July to early October. Thecaterpillars feed on Elm, Nettlesand Hop. The Comma hasrapidly spread northwards inrecent years and is a distinctivenew addition to the butterflyfauna of southern Scotland.

18. Pearl-bordered FritillaryBoloria euphrosyne41-47mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThis butterfly is one of the mostthreatened in the UK, and inthis region is only known fromsites in Perthshire, primarilyaround Rannoch and Tummel,but with a few isolated coloniesnear Aberfeldy, Dunkeld andComrie. It occurs in dry, flower-rich habitats in woodland orplantation clearings, or in grassyareas, often with bracken. Thebest sites are usually south-facing slopes with abundantDog Violets, upon which thecaterpillars feed. The adults flyfrom early May to mid-June.

19. Small Pearl-bordered FritillaryBoloria selene41-44mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThis species is very similarin appearance to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, but occurs ina much wider range of habitats,including damp, flower-richgrassland, woodland clearingsand the edges of bogs andmoorlands. The caterpillarsfeed on Marsh and Dog Violets,and the adults fly from late Mayto late August.

20. Dark Green FritillaryArgynnis aglaja63-69mmThis is a large butterfly thatfeeds on Dog and Heath Violetsas a caterpillar. It is widespreadand is often found in flower-richhabitats with patches of scrub,especially along the coast.It flies from June to August,at about the same time as theSmall Pearl-bordered Fritillary,but is a more powerful flierand much larger. The greenbackground to the undersideof its hind wing can be seenwhen the butterfly is at rest ornectaring (see leaflet cover).

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PERTH & KINROSS1 Trinafour/ErrochtyA fascinating area of upland limestone pavement andlimestone grassland that grades into species-rich acidgrassland, heath and bog as you head north and west.The limestone areas support Northern Brown Argus andDark Green Fritillary, while towards Dubh Lochan you cansee Mountain Ringlet and Large Heath. Parking is alongthe roadside at NN725 656, on the section of GeneralWade’s Military Road that links the A9 to Trinafour.

2 Tummel, Rannoch and the Tay Forest ParkStunning scenery and wonderful wildlife make this areaworth a visit at any time of year. Limestone influencedhabitats merge with acid ones and bog to support goodcolonies of Pearl, Small Pearl-bordered and Dark GreenFritillaries, Northern Brown Argus and, in late summer,abundant Scotch Argus. The best areas to search arethe northern sides of Lochs Rannoch and Tummel,along the B8019. Excellent FC visitor centre atQueen’s View, NN863 597. Buses from Pitlochry.www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk

3 SchiehallionOne of Scotland’s most recognisable mountains,Schiehallion supports a rich variety of upland habitats.Moorland on the lower slopes is interspersed with bracken,bog, base-rich flushes and limestone pavement. At higheraltitudes are species-rich acid grassland and Blaeberryheath, while the summit is quartzite with much bare rock.Mountain Ringlet occurs on the acid grassland between500 and 800m, while lower down you may see SmallPearl-bordered and Dark Green Fritillaries. Car park andwell-marked path at the Braes of Foss (NN753 557), about8km (5 miles) from Tummel Bridge. Buses from Pitlochry.www.jmt.org

4 Ben Lawers National Nature ReserveBen Lawers has the most celebrated mountain flora inBritain. Several plants are relict and isolated arctic andalpine species and a few are found only here in the UK.Restoration programmes are enhancing montane scrub,woodland, and the species-rich grassland to be foundalong the nature trail where grazing has been excluded.The Mountain Ringlet is abundant at Ben Lawers betweenabout 300 and 850m, and can be seen (in warm sunshine!)above the nature trail. It is also present in good numberson the slopes above the Loch na Lairige Reservoir withtheir numerous flushes and species-rich flora. Ben Lawersis 9km (6 miles) north east of Killin on the north shore ofLoch Tay. There is a car park at NN608 378, 3km (2 miles)up the hill road that leads off the A827 to Glen Lyon,with more parking by the dam.www.nts.orgwww.nnr-scotland.org.uk

FIFE5 Auchtermuchty CommonA valuable remnant of species-rich grassland,managed by the local community with the help of theFife Coast and Countryside Trust. As well as supportingGrey Partridge, Skylark and Yellowhammer, the Commonis home to several species of butterfly including SmallPearl-bordered and Dark Green Fritillaries, Common Blueand Small Heath. The Green Hairstreak was recordedhere for the first time in 2010. Day-flying moths includeSix-spot Burnet and Chimney Sweeper. Car park andinformation board at NO236 134, but it is a pleasantwalk from Auchtermuchty.www.fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk

6 Cullaloe Local Nature ReserveCullaloe LNR contains the former reservoir forBurntisland, which has long since been drained.The reserve now has a variety of habitats including asmall loch, willow scrub and grassland, and supportsrare plants, woodland birds and wildfowl. Butterfliesinclude Orange-tip, Small Copper, Common Blue andRinglet. Six-spot Burnet moths are common and aLunar Hornet Moth was seen on the reserve in 2010.The car park is at NT186 871, down a narrow roadby Cullaloe Cottage off the B9157. Most of the siteis wheelchair-accessible.www.swt-fife.org.ukwww.fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk

7 Kincraig PointKincraig Point is a promontory with sea cliffs betweenShell Bay and Earlsferry near Elie. The species-richgrassland supports a wide variety plant species, plusa good colony of Northern Brown Argus as well asDark Green Fritillary, Common Blue and Small Heath.Day-flying moths include Six-spot Burnet, LatticedHeath and Cinnabar. There is car parking at NO469 004,alternatively walk the coastal path from Earlsferry takingcare when passing the golf course.www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk

8 Tentsmuir Point National Nature ReserveTentsmuir possesses a range of coastal habitatsstretching from the beach, through the fore dunesand slacks to dune grassland and older dune heath,backed by the more recent Forestry Commission (FC)plantation. The dune slacks particularly are rich in plantspecies. The site is also famous for its wading birdsand seals, and the pine plantation has a good RedSquirrel population. The reserve is one of the region’sbest butterfly sites, home to Small Pearl-bordered andDark Green Fritillaries, Small Copper, Common Blue,Green Hairstreak and Grayling. Day-flying moths arewell-represented, with Cinnabar and Six-spot Burnet.Car park, information panels and trails, toilets and apicnic area are located at Kinshaldy (NO498 242) whereentry is via a toll barrier. Access to the NNR is by footor bicycle through about 3km (1½ miles) of forest track.Alternatively, walk along the foreshore from Tayport2km (1½ miles) to reach Tentsmuir Point. For more infocontact SNH on 01382 553704 or FC on 01350 727284www.tentsmuir.org

East Schiehallion Ben Lawers Tentsmuir

DUNDEE9 Grassy Beach‘Grassy Beach’ is one of the last remaining sectionsof original coastal grassland left in the Dundee area,and can be followed via a pleasant 1.6 km (1 mile) pathalong the estuarine river front, from the Stannergate(NO438 310) at the eastern end of the port area, to theedge of Broughty Ferry at Douglas Terrace (NO454 311).Species include Common Blue and Six-spot Burnet.www.dundeecity.gov.uk

ANGUS10 Sidlaw HillsThe Auchterhouse and Craigowl Hills overlookingDundee have a range of habitats including species-richgrassland, wet grassland, deciduous woodland, coniferplantation and moorland. Butterflies present includeSmall Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Northern BrownArgus. Access is via the Balkello Community Woodlandcar park on the Kirkton of Auchterhouse to Newlandheadroad (NO365 383). Buses run from Dundee city centre.www.walkscotland.com

11 Barry Buddon/Barry LinksThis dune system is a Ministry of Defence site, notaccessible when live firing is taking place. It exhibitsa fine succession of habitats, from foredunes to dunegrassland, heath and scrub. There are at least 16 speciesof butterfly including Small Blue, Dark Green Fritillaryand Grayling. Moths include Cinnabar and Six-spotBurnet. Access to the site can be via Monifieth (NO503324), Barry (NO541 336), or Carnoustie (NO562 340),both easily reached by publioc transport.www.mod.uk

12 Coastal path, Arbroath to MontroseA stretch of cliffs with a narrow strip of coastal grassland,running north from Arbroath to Auchmithie and beyond toMontrose. Rich in colourful plants, with some rarities suchas Nottingham Catchfly and Maiden Pink. A good rangeof butterflies can be seen e.g. Small Blue, Grayling andDark Green Fritillary. The coastal path is easily accessiblefrom the car park at Arbroath (NO658 412). The sectionat Seaton is managed by Scottish Wildlife Trust.www.swt.org.uk

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21. Speckled WoodPararge aegeria47-50mmEarly naturalists recorded thiswoodland butterfly as a Taysideresident but for some reason itdisappeared in the early 20thcentury. It has however, recentlymade a welcome return andcan be seen in the Kenmorearea. (It is more common to thenorth around the Moray Firthand to the west in Argyll). Malesare often seen perched in sunlitspots ready to defend theirterritory or intercept females,which are on the wing, asseveral broods, from late Aprilto late October. The caterpillarsfeed on various grasses.

22. Wall BrownLasiommata megera44-46mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe Wall Brown is steadilymoving north, presumably dueto climate change, and is now inEast Lothian, although has notyet been reported in Fife orTayside. Strangely, at the sametime this species has undergonea massive decline over most ofEngland - we do not know why.However it may appear in theregion soon, and the best placeto look for it is along the coast,as it requires warm grasslandswith patches of bare ground.It is on the wing in May andJune, and again, in greaternumbers, in August and earlySeptember. The caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses.

23. Scotch ArgusErebia aethiops35-40mmThe Scotch Argus breedsin tall, damp grassland, andopen, wet woodland, where thecaterpillars feed on a variety ofgrasses. In sunshine the adultbutterflies can be very active,but cloudy weather can causethem to stop flying completely.It is the last butterfly of theseason to emerge, flying fromlate July until early September,and can be very abundant.Lowland Tayside and Fife seemto be too dry, sunny and warmfor it, and the only recordsfor the region outside of theCairngorms National Park arein Perthshire from Glen Lyonnorth to Rannoch and as fareast as Pitlochry.

24. Mountain RingletErebia epiphron28-36mmOur only true montane butterfly,this species is usually foundabove 350m and is associatedwith species-rich grassland,often with flushes. It only fliesin bright sunshine, but can bedisturbed while at rest in quitedull weather. The BreadalbaneMountains are one of the UKstrongholds for the butterfly, andit is abundant and easy to seeat Ben Lawers. It is also foundon Schiehallion, and at relativelylow altitude near Trinafour. It issimilar to the Scotch Argus,but is smaller and does nothave white eyespots. The flightperiods of the two speciesoverlap as the Mountain Ringletis on the wing from mid-Juneto mid-August.

25. GraylingHipparchia semele55-60mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe Grayling needs warm,sunny sites with bare groundand fine-leaved grasses, uponwhich the caterpillars feed. Itsnatural habitats include coastaland inland cliffs (e.g. KinnoullHill), dunes and heaths, but inthe past it has colonised many‘brownfield’ sites, such as oldquarries and railway lines. Manyof these sites have now beenlost as they are developed orscrub over. The adult butterfliescan be hard to see at rest dueto their superb camouflage,and are on the wing from lateJune to early September.

26. Meadow BrownManiola jurtina50-55mmThe Meadow Brown can beseen in a variety of flower-richgrassland habitats, often inlarge numbers. The caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses.Males tend to be darker thanfemales, but the amount oforange on both is variable. Astrong flier, it is on the wing fromlate June to early September.

27. Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus34-38mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesAn inconspicuous butterflythat tends to fly only in brightconditions, and always keeps itswings closed at rest. It occursmostly on grasslands where thesward is short and where thereare fine-leaved grasses uponwhich the caterpillar feeds.Although widespread in Scotland,it has undergone substantialdeclines in other parts of the UK.It has one generation per year,the adults being on the wingfrom mid-May to early August.

28. Large HeathCoenonympha tullia35-40mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe Large Heath is restrictedto wet, peaty habitats (e.g.lowland raised bogs) whereHare's-tail Cottongrass, its mainfoodplant, grows. It always restswith its wings closed, but canbe distinguished from the SmallHeath by its duller colour andlarger size. The Large Heathis very rare over much of thisregion, but becomes morecommon to the north and westin Highland Perthshire, e.g.Trinafour and Ben Lawers. Itcan have prominent spots onthe hindwing, but they are notalways present. It is on the wingfrom mid-June to mid-August.

29. RingletAphantopus hyperantus48-52mmThe Ringlet has a very dark,velvety appearance and a white‘fringe’ to its wings when newlyemerged. The ‘ringlets’ on theunder-wings vary in numberand size and can be virtuallyabsent. It favours tall, dampgrassland, where the caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses,and has colonised much of theregion in recent years. It flies,even in dull conditions, fromlate June to August, and canbe very common.

30. Six-spot BurnetZygaena filipendulae25-40mmThe striking red and blackcolour of the adults mean‘predators beware’ becausethe moth is packed with achemical defence in the formof cyanide! The caterpillarsare also poisonous and theyare thought to derive thesechemicals from their foodplant,Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil.It flies from late June toAugust in sunny, grassy places,especially along the coast.

31. CinnabarTyria jacobaeae34-46mmThe adult Cinnabar hassimilar coloration to theunrelated Six-spot Burnet,and is also poisonous to birds.In this case the poison, againobtained by the caterpillars,comes from their foodplant,Common Ragwort. TheCinnabar occurs in dry, grassyhabitats, especially in coastalareas. The adults fly in Juneand July and can overlapwith the conspicuous yellowand black caterpillars, whichfeed during July and August.

32. Chimney SweeperOdezia atrata24-30mmThis little moth is sometimesmistaken for the Small Bluebutterfly. The Chimney Sweeperis entirely black, apart for thewhite edges of its wing tips.The adults are on the wingbetween June and earlyAugust. The caterpillars feedon the flowers and seeds ofPignut, and the moth canbe found in open woodlandsand flower-rich grasslands.

33. Mother ShiptonCallistege mi26-32mmThis moth gets its strangename from the wing patternwhich is reputed to resemblean old witch. The caterpillarsfeed on grasses. The adultsare on the wing from earlyMay through to early July,and found in sunny habitatswith flowery grasslands.

34. Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata22-30mmThis moth rests like a butterfly,with its wings partly raisedand the fine network of darklines and veins on its wings isstriking. It can be very activein sunshine and is found ingrassy places, both at thecoast and inland, especiallywhere its foodplants - clovers,lucerne and trefoils - grow.It flies during June, Julyand early August.

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BROWNS (continued) DAY-FLYING MOTHS

The day-flying moths shown are sometimes mistakenfor butterflies. There are probably several hundredspecies of moth that could be seen in the region,but most only fly at night.

This information has been provided in good faith from a varietyof sources, and Butterfly Conservation Scotland cannot beresponsible for errors. For information on public transport go towww.travelinescotland.com

Be aware of ticks! All visitors to the countryside should check forticks afterwards, carefully removing them as soon as possible.www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

‘Know the Code before you go’ For information on access rightsand responsibilities go to www.outdooraccess-scotland.com

Get involved!There is still much to find out abouthow butterfly and moth populationsare changing and everyone canhelp - we really do need yourbutterfly and moth sightings.

Why?Recording is the foundation upon which wildlifeconservation is based. It helps us to identifypopulation trends, identify important sites, and canassess the effectiveness of habitat management.Butterflies and moths can be quick to respondto changes to their environment. They thereforemake excellent indicator species, reacting tonew habitat management or the effects of climatechange. You can record them in your garden orventure to parts of the countryside you wouldotherwise not visit. Above all though, it is easy,great fun, and very rewarding!

When?Choose warm, sunny days to look for butterfliesand moths, when they are most active. Alwaystake a map. Many paths are uneven so wearfootwear with good ankle support and for longerwalks take warm, waterproof clothing as weatherconditions can change quickly. A mobile phone,sun hat, snack and drink are good safetyprecautions. Let someone know where youhave gone and what time you expect to beback. Remember to take a notebook and pentoo, to record your sightings. Binoculars anda butterfly net can also be useful.

Where?Most butterflies prefer sheltered sunny locationswith plenty of nectar. Several are specialists andare restricted to a particular habitat. Other speciesare very mobile, such as Red Admiral and PaintedLady, and can be seen almost anywhere. Yourlocal park will almost certainly have a variety ofbutterflies, such as Peacock, Orange-tip, andLarge, Small and Green-veined White, especiallyif there are areas that have developed naturally,or the local Council has sown an area with nativeflowers and grasses. Moths will probably not be soobvious, but why not learn about them at eventsrun by the local Butterfly Conservation Branch?www.eastscotland-butterflies.org.uk

What?Butterfly recording comprises monitoring andsurveying. Monitoring is used to collect informationabout changes to individual populations or sites overtime, normally annually. Surveying is concerned withcollecting records from a number of different sites totry and gain a true picture of butterfly distributions.

To send us a record you need to provide thefollowing information; species name, how manyyou saw, location name, grid reference from anOrdnance Survey map, date, and your contactdetails. Records should be sent to your localvolunteer butterfly or moth recorder (see below)who verifies and collates them and then sendsthem to a national database, where they will beanalysed. One day your records could appearas dots on distribution maps.

Butterfly records:Duncan Davidson, 140 Pitcorthie Drive,Dunfermline, KY11 8BJduncan@dwwd.freeserve.co.uk(or Fife Nature Records Centre)

Moth records:Angus & Dundee: David Lampard,51 Johnston Avenue, Dundee DD3 8HAdlampard@clara.co.uk

Fife: Duncan Davidson, 140 Pitcorthie Drive,Dunfermline, KY11 8BJduncan@dwwd.freeserve.co.uk

Mid Perthshire: Dr John Thorpe (acting recorder)Pipers Croft, Killiecrankie, Perthshire, PH16 5LWjohnethorpe@btinternet.com

Want to know more?The following books are recommended:Britain’s Butterflies (2010) 2nd edition.Newland & Still. Wildguides.ISBN No. 978-1-903657-30-0Guide to Butterflies of Britain and Ireland (2007)Thomas. Excellent pocket guide. Philip’s.ISBN No. 13 978-0-540-08980-2The State of Butterflies in Britain and IrelandFox et al (2006). Distribution maps and speciesaccounts. Pisces. ISBN No. 1-874357-31-5Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britainand Ireland (2007) Townsend & Waring. BritishWildlife Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9531399-6-5.

BUTTERFLIES

Clouded YellowLarge White

Small WhiteGreen-veined WhiteOrange-tipGreen HairstreakPurple HairstreakSmall CopperSmall BlueNorthern Brown ArgusCommon BlueHolly BlueRed AdmiralPainted LadySmall TortoiseshellPeacockCommaPearl-bordered FritillarySmall Pearl-b'd FritillaryDark Green FritillarySpeckled WoodWall BrownScotch ArgusMountain RingletGraylingMeadow BrownSmall HeathLarge HeathRinglet

DAY-FLYING MOTHSSix-spot BurnetCinnabarChimney SweeperMother ShiptonLatticed Heath

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flight Periods

Please note flight periods will vary depending on the weather.