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Animal of Trafford - Butterflies

Brimstone

In Flight.
Most of year hibernating through winter
Habitat.
The Brimstone occurs in scrubby grassland, woodland (especially damp carr woodland), hedgerows, and open ground wherever food plants are available in sunny positions. The butterfly ranges widely and can often be seen flying along roadside verges and tracks with hedgerows, well away from food plants. Eggs laid on Buckthorn
Size: 60mm Wingspan

Peacock

In Flight.
Most of year hibernating through winter
Habitat.
The Peacock ranges freely and powerfully through out the countryside and will breed where ever suitable habitat is found. More common around woods but can be found any where. Eggs laid on stinging nettle.
Size: 60-70mm Wingspan

Large White

In Flight.
April to June and July to September
Habitat.
May be found any where but most common around Brassicas in gardens or vegetable plots. There are generally two generations a year with the second brood being more numerous. Eggs are laid under leaves of Cabbages or other brassicas
Size: 63-70mm Wingspan

Small White

In Flight.
April to June and July to October
Habitat.
May be found any where but most common around Brassicas in gardens or vegetable plots. Prefers sheltered plants to lay its eggs under headgerows. Eggs are laid under leaves of Cabbages and Crucifers
Size: 48mm Wingspan

Green Veined White

In Flight.
April to June and July to September
Habitat. Prefers damp uncultivated places, lush hedges and river edges but will range widely in the open countryside. It lays its eggs on Cruicifers in damp places
Size: 50mm Wingspan

Tortoiseshell

In Flight.
June July and then September to May
Habitat.
Usually two broods in a year. The butterfly hibernates through the winter in cool dry conditions so is often found in sheds and garages. Eggs are laid on young Nettles in sunny areas.
Size: 50-56mm Wingspan

Meadow Brown

In Flight.
June to September
Habitat.
Very common Butterfly found where ever Wild Grasses survive. Prefers tall lush growth where it will occur in large numbers if spot is sheltered and sunny. Eggs are laid singly on blades of grass or allowed to drop to the ground.
Size: 56mm Wingspan

Speckled Wood

In Flight.
April - May, June and August-September
Habitat.
Prefers shady glades and woodland walks and is only beaten by the white Admiral in this respect. Males defend a beam of light to display to females and turn back other males. Eggs are laid singly on grass blades shaded by shrubs.
Size: 47-50mm Wingspan

Orange Tip

In Flight.
April - July and August-September
Habitat.
Found in the largest numbers around food plants such as Ladies Smock and Hedge Garlick. Only males have orange wing tips and females are often dismissed as Small white Look for mottled Grass green underside to hind wing.
Size: 45-50mm Wingspan

Gate Keeper

In Flight. July and August.
Habitat.
Looks similar to a small Meadow Brown but look for two white dots on fore wing. Typically found along warm hedgerows and country lanes and rough grass with some shrubs. Eggs are laid singly on grass beneath shrubs.
Size: 40-47 mmWingspan

Holly Blue

In Flight.
April to June and July to September
Habitat.
Seen in ones and twos in gardens, along hedgerows and especially in woods. Caterpillars feed on the fruit of Holly and Ivy as well as gorse and Dogwood.
Size: 35mm Wingspan

Common Blue

In Flight.
May to June and July to October
Habitat.
Heathland and unfertilised grassland where Birds foot Trefoil is found. Butterfly is found in small colonies which roost together at night.
Size: 35mm Wingspan

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