Butterfly /Moth Identification Help please?

BWDaveWelly · #1 (**permalink**) 30-04-2011, 09:19 AM

We've just planted an apple tree in our garden - and the very first visitor was a bright red butterfly or moth (didn't land so I couldn't see what happened with the wings). may have had a black tinge to the edge of the wings but the general colour was definitely red.

We live in Wellingborough, near northampton, if that's any help.

Thanks

Dave

Anzu · #2 (**permalink**) 30-04-2011, 10:01 AM

Hia Dave welcome to WAB!

How big around about was this butterfly/moth? I was thinking perhaps it was a peacock butterfly.

Matt Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 30-04-2011, 10:07 AM

Try "Cinnabar Moth", fits your description to a "T".

BWDaveWelly · #4 (**permalink**) 30-04-2011, 05:12 PM

It was (according to she who must be obeyed) about the size of a cabbage white, and from what I could see it was more red than the Cinnibar Moth, and there was no pattern on the wings at all - only colour.

On this web page http://images2.layoutsparks.com/1/183574/in-fa-red-butterfly.jpg is the closest picture I can find.

thanks for you help

Dave

Anzu · #5 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 01:55 PM

Hmm how strange! I have been trying to come up with some ideas for you. How bright was the red colouring? Maybe it was some sort of Fritillary butterfly, but because it was flying around the small black markings and the orange-red colours blurred together?

Johnny81 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 01:57 PM

Small copper?
UK Butterflies - Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

Anzu · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny81

Small copper?
UK Butterflies - Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

Sounds good!

BWDaveWelly · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anzu

Sounds good!

Fraid not, it was definitely just red, (well with the chmace of a black tinge around the outside - I'm starting to wonder if we both just hallucinated, shame really we were both sober!

Thanks for the input though folks

and thanks for the great welcome.

Dave

p.s. It was pillar box red

htcdude · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 06:43 PM

I know it doesn't fit with the red, but maybe the light made it look redder than it was? And with the black tinge around the outside the nearest I can think is a Large Copper:

UK Butterflies - Large Copper - Lycaena dispar

Nige

BWDaveWelly · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htcdude

I know it doesn't fit with the red, but maybe the light made it look redder than it was? And with the black tinge around the outside the nearest I can think is a Large Copper:

UK Butterflies - Large Copper - Lycaena dispar

Nige

That's the one! or at least we're 90% sure it is - the only problem with the ID now is that if I read that website correctly it's extinct! so if it's not that it's very close to it!

Thanks everyone for your help