Ringlet butterflies are a hardy bunch, and will often be fluttering about in cloudy spells when most other butterflies have called it a day! These chaps are not rare, but I had not seen them in action until this year; being active on damp grassland they are very prominent on the fields surrounding the garden (Hidcote area is on heavy clay). Although not perhaps as visually arresting as the likes of the Peacock butterfly they are nevertheless fascinating, particularly the caterpillars which are nocturnal and only feed during the night! The foodplants are rough grasses such as meadow grass, and the caterpillars overwinter not entering pupation until the following spring.
 |
| Younger viewers please look away now! Ringlet hanky panky. |
6 comments:
Okay. It's a case of mistaken identity! I've been calling these meadow browns without actually checking up. I shall now be able to name them correctly and with authority. Thanks Bertie.
Pretty little butterflies. Love your header photo, too.
Oops... I thought I was signed in as Meems.
Janet - I was up until recently referring to Meadow Browns as Gatekeepers! So it goes..
Also just spotted your blog for the first time, exciting stuff!
Bertie
We too are on heavy clay and have ringlets in the garden. Managed to photograph them last year but this year they are too quick for me ! We had 3 the other day on our circular lawn which we allow to grow longer as a spring meadow, nearly time to cut it, hope they havn't laid their eggs there !!
Pauline - I have been hoping the same myself! Does the grass need to be left long all winter to accomadate them? This isn't practical in most formal garden situations that include a meadow. If you intend to leave a grassed area long, how do you stop them laying in an area you intend to cut? Eek! Hopefully the answers will unravel in the fullness of time as I would like to encourage these chaps as much as possible.
Bertie
Post a Comment