www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

A Small Tortoiseshell or a Peacock, both seem to be the same.

Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars I'd say. Peacock caterpillars, as far as i can remember, are pretty black right from the start.

As an aside, I saw plenty of ST caterpillars last spring locally, this year they seem to be down in numbers again. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong spots.

Michael

I've not seen any either in these parts. The dry weather has definitely affected the condition of the nettles and it is possible that both species have found it difficult to find suitable foodplant. Plenty of wild hop round here, so the Commas may do better as they had an alternative.

Dave