www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Only into my second year and still learning - be gentle.
The one Red Admiral (of two) that I got close to today, showed age. Butterflies when overwintering is only the larvae stage, right. If correct how can an early hatch look tatty so quick. Or can the caterpillar itself survive in hibernation?

Hi, Caveman38. Butterflies overwinter in all stages depending on the species. For instance, Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas & Peacocks hibernate as adults, which explains why they are the first butterflies we see in the spring. A few species hibernate as pupae, quite a few as larvae and some as ova.

Red Admirals are a little enigmatic as they aren't really a British overwintering species, or at least they weren't till fairly recently when our winters became considerably milder.

It may well be that the one you saw survived the winter months here, but equally, it may be a recent immigrant from the continent. Either way, it's probably a relatively 'elderly' specimen given its condition.

Hi Caveman - you're in the best community ever here and we're all learning.

You might find this useful: https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_phenologies.php

Each species will overwinter in whatever stage it's evolved to overwinter in! Most overwinter as caterpillars, but not all.

Cheers,

- Pete

I live in a 16th century timber framed building with lots of beams and every year we have small tortoiseshell butterflies hibernating against them, particularly in the bathroom and one of the upstairs passages. There were 7 until today when one decided to fly and went back outside. I worry about them getting too warm and waking too early, is there anything I can do to help them? Obviously we have to have the central heating on when the weather turns cold.

Hi Sue, I'm sorry no one has replied to your question.

In an unnaturally warm environment, such as a house that is centrally heated, the butterflies will become active and use up the essential body fats that will see them through the winter. One option is to place the butterfly in a cold and dark environment and out of the way of predators, such as in a log pile, an outhouse, or a hollow tree. Alternatively, on the next sunny day that is sufficiently warm, release the individual outside so that it can find a more suitable location in which to hibernate itself. If you put it in something like a shed or a garage you need to ensure that it has a means of exit in spring, or otherwise check on it from time to time in case it wakes up and wants to go out.

Vince

Thanks for your response Vince.
They are all in very high spots, the ceilings are double height so difficult to get to them, but I’m willing to try. They do tend to stay there all winter, though this year there are more than usual and as I said in my previous post, one did wake up. We have lots of outbuildings so have somewhere safe for them to go.