Second Brood Potential

[Jack Harrison]

Many species that are normally single brooded (or largely single brooded with a small second showing, eg Wood White, Swallowtail), can have second broods in favourable seasons. We have just enjoyed a fabulous spring with temperatures and sunshine comfortably above average (in the south though we could though perhaps have done with a little more rain).

So what might we hope to see doing well in 2009? This list is not exhaustive but some possibles are given here.

Dingy Skipper, Small Blue, Duke of Burgundy, White Admiral, Pearl Bordered, Small Pearl Bordered and Heath Fritillaries. Wood White and Swallowtail could well have stronger second broods than normal and Wall Brown might even have a third brood (the beginning of the recover perhaps?)

Jack

[Dave McCormick]

I was told if weather was good enough, we might see a third holly blue brood that will be found until end of october. But as of yet I have seen very little holly blues (actually only one the whole year). In Dublin there has been a third brood of holly blue appearing in past two years, so could happen elsewhere if tempreture is right.

I read in newspaper that they predict the tempreture to be in parts of England by 15 August, 35C now thats hotter than usual, so who knows what we will see if weather gets that warm.

[Padfield]

In my experience, freak second broods are associated with early springs (which this was not) coupled with good growing weather in the summer (no heatwave). Here in CH the most recent example I have of this was 2007, when southern white admirals put in two broods in the Rhône Valley instead of their usual one. This year I have yet to see one and I'm pretty confident there won't be a second brood.

The conditions required doubtless vary from species to species, though, and it is always interesting to keep track of which ones are making extra sets of babies!

Guy