Small Tortoiseshell

Wild-Woman · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 06:29 AM

Saturday's warmer weather has spurred some insects into action down here in Kent. Apart from the dozens of Bumble bees up and running and a few hoverflies, my best spot of the day was a good condititon Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Considering the apparent battle that this butterfly has been having to stay 'common' here in Kent, it was really great to see one.
It was seen at Cliffe Pools RSPB reserve.

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 03:59 PM

Good news indeed. The only butterflies I've seen have been a couple of male Brimstones last weekend.

Last year there was a large influx of continental Small Tortoiseshells into at least Norfolk/Suffolk, so hopefully this may help to bolster numbers. Apparently last year the index for Peacock was low + there's speculation (but no proof yet) that it may be related to this fly, Sturmia bella.

ellen h · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 04:28 PM

Saw 2 peacock butterflies yesterday in the country park

ellen

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Good news indeed. The only butterflies I've seen have been a couple of male Brimstones last weekend.

Last year there was a large influx of continental Small Tortoiseshells into at least Norfolk/Suffolk, so hopefully this may help to bolster numbers. Apparently last year the index for Peacock was low + there's speculation (but no proof yet) that it may be related to this fly, Sturmia bella.

Yes, I'd heard of this too. But then S. bella may have had a hard time last year finding ST to parasitise, so perhaps it's changing it's tactics to another species. It will be interesting to see how it pans out this year after last years appallingly bad count for so many species.

ron1863 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 04:48 PM

No Butterflies up here in Scotland yet, just a large Moth that flew into the bedroom the other night. Very little insect activity so far, probably be another month or so before the temperature rises sufficiently

Gill Osborne · #6 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 05:11 PM

I had my first butterfly of the year today - a Small Tortoiseshell - on Holy Island

It flew up from a verge as I passed and flew off very strongly so hopefully this will be a good year for them

KeenTeen17 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 10:02 PM

I found some flying about today. Is it normal for this time of year?

aeshna5 · #8 (**permalink**) 17-03-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I found some flying about today. Is it normal for this time of year?

Yes, if the sun's out + sufficiently warm!

Nicola Main · #9 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 03:46 PM

I saw my first Small Tortoiseshell today too I just love my first sighting of a butterfly, it's the same with Swallows and Swifts it just cheers the heart.

Pam_M · #10 (**permalink**) 23-03-2009, 03:43 PM

My first Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock yesterday (22nd) and my first Comma and Brimstone last Sunday (15th).
What a change in the weather today, I do hope they find a good place to shelter from the cold strong winds and heavy showers that are coming down from the North!! Our Spring weather was short lived.