Butterflies on Elvetham Heath

The Gate keeper (photograph taken at Elvetham- curtesy of Steve Bolton) is a common butterfly and emerges from mid-July onwards. They can now be seen in large numbers at the reserve. Their alternative common name is Hedge Brown and indeed they are commonly found along hedgerows.

The characteristic eyespots on the forewing probably deflects bird attacks away from the butterfly's body rather than startling away predators; the Gatekeeper likes to rest with its wings open and the eyespots visible.

The adult butterflies are especially attracted to yellow flowers such as Ragwort and also to bramble flowers. The caterpillars are typically brown in colour and feed on a variety of grasses.

Another common butterfly that is out at the moment in good numbers is the Common Blue, I saw this pair mating on a grassland ride leading up to the pumping station.

This species has two broods, the first set of adults are just starting to disappear in July, but watch out for a second brood flying around from August to September.

The caterpillar is small, pale green with yellow stripes and rather slug-like. These caterpillars like several other butterfly species are attractive to ants, which will take the caterpillar chrysalis from above-ground into their nests. The larvae create a substance called honey dew, which the ants eat while the butterfly lives in the ant hill. The larvae are attended and protected by ants while feeding on the host plant, and the ants receive sugar-rich honeydew in return.

Other butterfly species seen at Elvetham in late summer include the Red Admiral, Large White, Small & Large Skipper, Common Blue, Comma, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.