Indentification Please

[deviator]

Hello, newbie here.

Over the last few years I have noticed an increasing number of moths/butterflies in my house. I am not an expert, in fact I'm not even a beginner! I have no idea what I am looking at. Below is a picture of one which I found flapping around in the kitchen today. I must find up to 20 a year, sometimes dead, sometimes alive. Which I tend to catch to then release outside. At this time of year, I doubt they'd survive but I have no idea what else to do. I apologise the colours seem to be a little washed out in this photo. I have tried the identification search, but I couldn't find a match.

Any help gratefully received. Dave.

[deviator]

I seem to have had some success with Google, it appears to be a Small Tortoiseshell.

[Chris Jackson]

Welcome to the forum, deviator.

And welcome to the butterflying community and learning curve, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Your photo certainly does show a Small Tortoiseshell (a butterfly, not a moth).
You'll find lots of friendly people on this site, ready to help you, and we look forward to seeing your future posts.

Chris

[Pete Eeles]

Welcome, deviator. Also, please note item 2 here:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/faq.php

Cheers,

- Pete

[deviator]

Hello Chris and thank you for the very warm welcome.

Is there anything I can do to help these butterflies? I'm not sure where they are coming from or what they are feeding on. As I only have cacti and aloe vera plants in the house - certainly no nettles! My concern is, as the heating is now on, I tend to see quite a few of these over the winter months and I have no idea what to do for the best, do I just leave them? Or do I let them outside? I can't imagine either being helpful for the poor butterflies.

EDIT

Thank you for the link Pete, I think you've answered my question with the FAQ's. That'll teach me not to read around a little more! Sorry. In the future, I will release them into the garage where they can hibernate properly and not be upset by the central heating.

[Jack Harrison]

You are so lucky Deviator being at this stage. I can remember with great fondness 70 years ago when it was all so new for me. My mum helped but couldn't identify much.
A Small Tortoiseshell was a "King George". Happy days.

So enjoy this phase and look forward to Orange Tip next April. Your first sighting will be magic.

Jack

[MikeOxon]

I agree with Jack. I remember my first reasonable butterfly photo was of a Small Tortoiseshell, and I still think they are one of Britain's most attractive butterflies. I hope that you will enjoy exploring more species in the current season. There are lots of good field guides to help; see, for example, http://www.dispar.org/reference.php?id=106

Remember that butterflies were around for millions of years before man came on the scene, messing up their lives with central heating etc. Left to themselves, they can cope with winters pretty well

[deviator]

Again, I'd like to thank you all for the warm welcome. I mainly came here with a 'single issue', which was more centred around how best to make sure they survive, especially considering the amount I rescue from my house.

As I live in a reasonably rural area and often go out walking through the countryside, this may well be an ideal addition to my many hobbies/pastimes. The enthusiasm shown by the members here is a refreshing change, so much so that I've followed Mikes' advice, read Pete's review and ordered the suggested book.

I am looking forward to next years walks even more so.

Dave

[agavegeoff]

Hi, deviator.
Warmth is just what the butterflies don't need in the winter.They should be hibernating. Find a cool dry dark place outside to place them in if you are able to pick them up, but gently does it.
I come across a few assorted ones whilst cutting up timber stored in a plastic tunnel. If you must feed them try a apple cut open, even a bad apple is good. I see all sorts feed on rotting apples in the Autumn.