![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/rubi109.jpg)
This freshly emerged green hairstreak was feasting on dandelions in the Rhône Valley today, 9th October. The sighting is as unusual in Switzerland as it would be in the UK - green hairstreak is strictly a monovoltine, spring butterfly. I think severe cold weather in September, with snow coming quite low down the mountains, followed by sustained warmth, must have scrambled the pupa's biological clock. The sighting made me a little sad, but he/she did seem to be making the most of his/her lonely existence. It was certainly very strange - almost creepy - to be watching this beautiful insect in October!
EDIT: I searched for references to second brood green hairstreak on the internet and found this: http://westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/ ... l12_02.htm (see 5th paragraph from end), suggesting it is possible in good summers, even though not mentioned in the literature. So maybe my individual today wasn't alone, but a representative of a partial second brood.
Twenty other species were flying in the balmy weather today. Here are a few of them:
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/aegeria106.jpg)
Speckled wood is a more natural autumn sight.
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/statilinusgroup108.jpg)
Tree graylings are quite common at the moment.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/statilinus103.jpg)
This is what a tree grayling looks like when it's not fighting for its corner of apple.
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/calbum107.jpg)
Comma was the only Vanessid on the wing today. This one looked freshly emerged.
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/phlaeas106.jpg)
Small copper
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/agestis104.jpg)
Brown argus
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/coridon106.jpg)
Chalkhill blue
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/alveusmaybe105.jpg)
Presumed large grizzled skipper (I have underside shots and they seem to rule out Oberthür's)
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/alceae108.jpg)
Mallow skipper
I took loads more pictures, of everything I saw, but I can't close without a trademark Rhône Valley Queen of Spain:
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/lathonia1014.jpg)
The only month of the year I haven't seen Queen of Spain in is December. That's my target for 2010...
Guy