This years species

[Dave McCormick]

I have noticed somethig odd this year and I am sure so of you may have noticed too.

1) Red Admirals are bigger than usual
2) I saw a few male Speckled woods and they looked smaller than usual
3) Loads of species about, just not at once as they might be.
4) I have seen more aberrations of butterflies this year than normal.

Think much of this is to do with the erratic weather. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Padfield]

As you get more seasons of butterfly-watching behind you, Dave, you'll see that every year is different in its own way. Some butterflies go through periods of abundance, then apparent absence, then abundance again (holly blues do this on a relatively short scale and large tortoiseshells, it would appear, on a long scale). Different seasonal patterns have different effects on different species, depending on when they emerge and what their requirements are. This year, for instance, I think the cool weather since May (out here, anyway) has affected the blues quite a lot (negatively), perhaps because of its direct influence on the ants. You and others have noted particularly large vanessids, which suggests something else going on there. Some butterflies even have two-year cycles and so their relative abundance oscillates very rapidly. Perhaps there are patterns - I've found it difficult to pin them down!

Anyway, its excellent to notice and record these things, as you do, and all adds to the wonder of this fascinating hobby!!

Guy

[Dave McCormick]

Suppose thats why I saw Orange Tips this year and none last year in the area I found them? They can survive a year before hatching out next year as adults.