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Hi everyone, I've been lurking on this board for a while and finally decided to post...

My first question is: I've seen plenty of Peacocks, Red Admirals and Small Tortoishells this spring, even the odd Painted Lady, but only one or two Commas. Is this just me or have other people noticed a lack of Commas?

I live in Brighton btw.

Hi John,
With me near Cardiff (S Wales), they were some of the first butterflies to come out during the good weather - early April? However, I admit I only saw them in a couple of spots, so it may just be how close you are to their hibernating spots. I haven't seen that many since, though I also saw them in abundance at Fermyn Woods (Corby, Northamptonshire) just before - around the end of March.
Michael

Hi John,
I've noticed that the numbers of some of the species which hibernate as adults, particularly Comma and Peacock, have dropped quite dramatically from their late March levels. I would attribute this to 'burn out', with week after week of warm, sunny weather meaning that they have whizzed around fighting and pursuing mates on a daily basis - until they drop. I think individual butterfly lifespan is similar to the charge in a battery - with a fairly standard level of energy available. I think the same applies to all species, whether they over-winter or not. The books are probably correct in giving an average lifespan of 7 days for a Duke of Burgundy; 7 days over which there is at least some sunshine and territorial/mate-finding behaviour. But if it is dull and very cool for a long period, during which the butterflies become torpid, then an individual Duke might last 21 days (I believe the record for a DoB is a day or two more than this). Our over-wintering Commas and Peacocks had just one job to do after waking from their winter slumbers. They've raced around fighting, chasing and making whoopee without taking a break....... and now they're knackered.
Neil