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The Lower Otter Valley is fortunate in having a variety of landscapes from coast, through farmland to pebblebed heaths in a relatively small area. This provides habitats for a range of different butterflies. These are a great habitat for butterflies. However, keep your eyes peeled because there is an incredible variety of butterflies that you can spot.  Here are examples from local photographers ... arranged according to the commnonly observed families.  Over time we will be adding more examples to show the differences between male & female, as well as top of wing versus bottom of wing.  

If you can help spot any of the missing examples, or see others that are not mentioned, please do take a photo and get in touch with us.

Skipper Family (Hesperiidae)

There are eight types of Skipper butterfly in the UK. They are called Skippers because of their rapid flight. The six that have orange-brown wings have the habit of partly raising their forewings when at rest; basking in the sun. Two of the family, the Large and Small Skipper can be seen locally.

Large Skipper (Female)	Large Skipper (underside)	Small Skipper	Small Skipper (underside)

• The Large Skipper Butterfly: The male Large Skipper is recognised by the distinctive black lines on its forewings. These are scent scales that the female does not have.  The butterfly can be seen in grassland areas including verges.  The green caterpillar feeds on various grasses from September to May lying dormant overwinter. The large skipper butterfly's hind wings have an unusual distinctive position when it's at rest.
• Small Skipper Butterfly: Slightly smaller than the Large Skipper but the same orange-brown colour. The male also has a line of black scent scales on its forewing; the female does not. It flies between June and August and is most likely to be seen in grasslands. The caterpillar feeds on various grasses between August and June lying dormant throughout the winter. 

White Family (Pieridae):

Butterflies in this family are either white or yellow and all except the Brimstone have black markings. There are seven butterflies in this family in the UK. Five can be seen locally plus the Clouded Yellow which is a regular migratory visitor. The Wood White has been seen in the lower Otter valley but is more usually seen further along the coast to the east.  Males and females generally differ in the number and size of black markings and variations in colour. 

Clouded Yellow	Brimstone	Large White	Small White	Green Veined
Orange Tip (Female)

• The Clouded Yellow Butterfly:  Migrates from southern Europe. It is most likely seen locally along the coast and in grassland between May and October, especially where clover is growing. The upper wings are yellow and the underwings yellow, tinged with green. Only the underwings are visible when the butterfly is at rest. There are spots on its underwings. It's caterpillar feeds on lucerne, clover and other legumes but they do not normally survive the winter. It is green with a pale yellow line along its side.
• The Brimstone Butterfly: The male butterfly's forewings are bright sulphur-yellow giving the butterfly its name. The females greenish-white wings are much paler. The pointed forewings of this butterfly distinguish it from other. It can be seen between June to September, hibernating overwinter before emerging again in the spring making it very long-lived. It always rests with its wings closed and is adept at camouflaging itself. It can be seen anywhere in the lower Otter area including the Heaths. The mainly green caterpillar feeds on buckthorn and alder buckthorn.
• The Large White Butterfly: Often, (wrongly), called the cabbage white due to its caterpillars feeding on brassicas. This butterfly now appears to be much less common though can be seen across the area during the summer months. The butterfly can often be seen feeding on thistle flowers. It's quite difficult to see this butterfly with wings wide open. The underside of the wings are yellow with black dusting It can be seen from April to October.
• The Small White Butterfly: A more common butterfly than the large white seen from mid-spring to late summer. It can have several broods each year so when successful can be seen in large numbers, especially over fields of Kale to which it's very partial. The butterfly is difficult to see with wings wide open. The underwings are more yellow than white.  Because both the large and small white caterpillars feed on brassicas, in numbers they are seen as a pest. In the garden, the caterpillars are also fond of nasturtiums. 
• The Green Veined Butterfly: Normally, along with the Orange-tip, the earliest of the white butterflies to emerge in the spring. The green 'veining' on the underwings distinguishes it from the small white, whilst the forewings look very similar.. Mainly found along hedgerows and in meadows. The butterfly often rests on something white. The caterpillars tend to eat wild varieties of brassica rather than cabbages, especially wild garlic.
• The Orange Tip Butterfly: The male butterfly's orange-tipped forewings give this butterfly its name. The female has black wingtips and can be easily mistaken for other small white butterflies. It can be seen between April and June, earlier if the weather is mild. When at rest, both male and female have very ornate, green-patterned lower underwings making it very difficult to see. The male butterfly is most likely to be seen flying along hedges, lanes, meadows and the edge of woodlands searching for females; it seldom rests. The female is less mobile and hard to find. The green caterpillar has a white line along its body. It mainly feeds on cuckoo flower also known as lady's smock and garlic mustard also known as jack-by-the-hedge. 

Vanessids and Fritillaries: Family Nymphalidae

This family contains 15 resident butterflies plus 3 migrants; 8 may be seen locally. They fall into 2 distinct groups, the multi-coloured vanessids that include the red and white admirals, peacock, painted lady and small tortoiseshell. The mainly orange-brown fritillaries are quite different in appearance; 2 can be seen locally. A number of the caterpillars in this family have branched spines.

White Admiral	Red Admiral	Painted Lady	Small Tortoiseshell	Peacock
Comma	SIlver-washed Fritillary	Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

• White Admiral Butterfly: The White Admiral is a rarer butterfly in the Lower Otter area. It is most likely to be seen along hedge lines and woodlands on the Heaths between June and August. The upper black and white wings are quite distinctive. The butterfly glides as it flies. It often feeds on blackberry blossom. The caterpillar is mainly green with prominent spines. It feeds on honeysuckle and is dormant between autumn and April. 
• Red Admiral Butterfly: The distinctive black, red and white upper wings and very recognisable making it one of our most recognised butterflies. By contrast, it has intricately detailed underwings. When folded down at rest, the mainly black lower underwings provide the butterfly with excellent camouflage. It hibernates through winter months. Until recently, most Red Admirals migrated here from the continent but as our winters have become milder it is believed that some hibernating adults in the UK are now surviving, so butterflies seen here are increasingly likely to be a combination of both migrants and residents. It can be seen across our area, often basking in the sun with open wings or feeding on flowers. It's also partial to feeding on ripe fruit, especially blackberries. Caterpillars vary in colour from grey green through dark grey to almost black with yellow flashes along its sides. They feed on stinging nettles usually folded within the plants leaves between May and October.
• The Painted Lady Butterfly: Whilst the Painted Lady shares a similar black and white pattern on its upper wing tips to the Red Admiral, it is otherwise mainly orange. It is similarly coloured on its underside. Adults migrate here from Europe having previously made their way from northern Africa. They will most probably have bred en-route in Spain and France before crossing the Channel. Some years, they can arrive in large numbers between April and October so can be seen here arriving along the coast. It can then be seen anywhere across the UK. It's believed this butterfly makes this long migration in order to escape a parasite that predates it in Africa. It cannot survive UK winters. The caterpillar varies through grey-green to black with branched spines of yellow, black or a combination of two. It feeds on thistles between April and October, wrapping itself in the plants leaves for protection.
• The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly: Once a very common summer butterfly, it has become relatively rare over recent years. There has been a lot of speculation as to why? Suggestions have included increased use of pesticides, dry summers and a parasitic fly that feeds on the caterpillars. Its wings are orange and dark brown with blue edges. Male and female look the same; the male is slightly smaller. Their dark underwings aid camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. It is most likely to be seen along hedgerows, lanes and in meadows between February and October having hibernated overwinter. The caterpillar varies in colour between yellow and black and covered with spiky hairs. They feed together on stinging nettles between May and August before dispersing to pupate. The fact that they feed on a common plant makes their falling numbers even more surprising.
• The Peacock Butterfly: One of our most distinctive native butterflies with its brightly ringed upper wings. These rings are thought to imitate eyes that warn off predators. In contrast, the butterfly's dark hind wings provide it with excellent camouflage when at rest. The Peacock can be seen around the lower Otter lanes and hedgerows between March and October having hibernated overwinter. The caterpillars are black with white spots and black spines. It feeds communally on nettles between May and July before dispersing to pupate. Staying together is thought to provide them with protection against predators. Feeding on nettles may make the caterpillars taste noxious to birds.
• The Comma Butterfly: Intriguing because both the upper and lower wings can vary in colour. The distinct white mark gives the butterfly its name. Although this butterfly is the same colour as fritillaries its very irregular wing shape makes it quite distinctive. It can be seen between March and September and usually has 2 broods and is common locally. It is most likely seen along hedgerows feeding on various blooms; it's often seen on both blackberry flowers and fruit. The butterfly hibernates through the winter months. The caterpillar's food plants are quite varied, nettle, elm and sallow. It can be found between May and August but is easily overlooked as its black, orange and white colours give it the appearance of a bird dropping.
• The Silver-washed Fritillary Butterfly: This is the largest UK fritillary. Its name comes from the silver streaks on its hind-wings. Like nearly all the fritillaries, the forewings are orange with black markings that are differently patterned on male and female. The male is lighter and smaller than the female. It is rare in this area, most likely to be seen in July and August in and around woodlands on the Heaths. Eggs are laid on tree trunks where Common Dog-Violets are growing around late July and hatch 2 weeks later passing the winter as a caterpillar. Following hibernation, these feed on Dog violets. The caterpillar is dark brown to black with yellow-orange lines along its sides. It has brown spikes with black tips.
• The Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly: This is becoming an increasingly rare butterfly in this area. It's most likely to be seen on the Heaths from late April to June. It prefers open woodland areas. The upper wings are orange-brown with black markings providing excellent camouflage in dead bracken. It gets its name from the pearly-white spots on the margins of the underwings. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of its foodplant, dog-violet. The yellow-brown caterpillar hibernates overwinter. It is known to bask on dead bracken. 

Brown Family (Satyridae)

In the British Isles, there are 11 butterflies in this family 8 of which could be seen locally. The wings of almost all are combinations of brown with rings and spots. Their caterpillars all eat various grasses so they inhabit grasslands:

Marbled White	Grayling	Meadow Brown	Ringlet	Gatekeeper
Small Heath	Speckled Wood	Wall Brown

• The Marbled White Butterfly:  A summer butterfly most likely to be seen in grassland areas and along the coast. It can often be seen feeding on knapweed flowers. It is most likely to be seen between June and September. Despite its name, it is related to the brown family. Rather than lay eggs on its foodplant, fescue and other grasses, it randomly drops eggs as it's flying over meadows. The newly hatched caterpillar hibernates overwinter, emerging in the spring and feeding overnight. It varies between green and fawn.
• The Grayling Butterlfy:  A heathland butterfly that can be seen on the Commons during mid-summer. It's unusual to see it with its wings open. The butterfly rests on the Heathland tracks, very well camouflaged among the stones. It is the largest member of the brown family. The Grayling is mainly a coastal butterfly. Whilst it is quite common on the Heaths, nationally, it is becoming rarer. Eggs are laid singly on fine leaved grass. It overwinters as a caterpillar. As they age the caterpillars feed at night.
• The Meadow Brown Butterfly: A common butterfly seen during mid-summer. Can be seen feeding on blackberry flowers along hedgerows and sometimes in large numbers in grassy meadows. Most easily seen close up in wet weather or in the evening when it rests in the grass. In grassland areas it's the most numerous butterfly. Males are more active than females; they tend to stay low amongst grasses while the males search for them. Caterpillars feed on a number of different grasses hibernating through the winter.
• The Ringlet Butterfly: A relatively rare butterfly, but can be seen during mid-summer along hedgerows, in meadows and on the Commons. The butterfly gets its name from the rings on its underwings. The upper wings are dark brown and the rings are often indistinct.  It's often seen feeding on blackberry flowers. The female either ejects her eggs into the air whilst settled on a grass stem or in flight over meadows. The caterpillars feed on various grasses at night. Overwinter, they eat whilst its mild and semi-hibernate when its cold, pupating in early summer. 
• The Gatekeeper Butterfly: A common mid-summer butterfly found on hedgerows and in meadows. A common butterfly locally. It is on the wing at the same time as meadow browns and at first site, they can be confused. The gatekeeper is generally smaller. It's most likely to be seen on hedgerows hence its alternative name, Hedge Brown. The upper wings are orange and brown and the male has a darker band on the upper forewings which the female doesn't have. They are often seen basking open winged or feeding on blackberry flowers, ragwort and other meadow and garden flowers. Egg laying can be random in grassland, sometimes when in flight. Caterpillars feed on various meadow grasses, usually at night. They hibernate from September to March whilst still quite small pupating from the end of May.
• The Small Heath Butterfly: As its name implies, this butterfly inhabits the dry Heaths where it is common. It is a small orange-brown-grey, low-flying butterfly that becomes quite inconspicuous when settled on the ground with its upper wings folded down. It can be seen between April and October and usually has more than 1 brood each year. Eggs are laid singly on or near the fine grasses on which the caterpillar feeds. Overwinter, they feed in mild weather, hibernating when it's cold.
• The Speckled Wood Butterfly: A common butterfly that can be seen from spring to the end of summer. Often seen along hedgerows bordering grasslands basking in dappled sunlight. Both the upper and underwing markings of this mottled cream-brown butterfly provide it excellent camouflage in dappled sunlight in hedgerows. The male often basks in a sunny spot, wings open. When at rest with hindwings folded down, it can be mistaken for a dead leaf. Unusually, rather than take nectar from flowers, this butterfly feeds on honeydew in the treetops. Eggs are laid in ones and twos on their foodplants, mainly grasses. It's normal for there to be 2 broods in a year, sometimes 3 if weather conditions are favourable. Unusually, it can overwinter as both caterpillar and pupae resulting in staggered hatching which is why this butterfly can be seen from spring to autumn.
• The Wall Brown  Butterfly: A rarer summer butterfly, most likely to be seen along lanes and hedgerows. The butterfly is often seen resting on the ground.  where it basks with orange upper wings open. When it closes its wings the grey mottled pattern makes it very well camouflaged. Males tend to repeatedly fly fast and low along the same route seeking females, returning to favoured sunny spots. It's more common in coastal areas but is generally becoming increasingly rare. It can have more than 1 generation a year. Eggs are laid in ones and twos on or close to a variety of grasses and small patches of bare soil that provides warmth. The green caterpillars feed on grass, mostly at night. This butterfly overwinters as a caterpillar. 

Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues - Family (Lycaenidae):

There are 14 members of these contrasting butterflies in this family 7 of which can be seen locally. They are all small and most are brightly coloured. There are 2 hairstreaks named after the narrow white streaks on their underwings. They also have short 'tails' on their lower hindwings and are often hard to see as they inhabit trees and shrubs, 1 copper and 4 blues that are often seen on the ground. Their caterpillars feed on a wide range of trees and plants.  It's possible that Brown Haistreaks also live locally.

Green Hairstreak	Purple Hairstreak	Small Copper	Holly Blue	Silver-studded Blue
Brown Argus	Common Blue

• The Green Hairstreak Butterfly:  This small heathland dweller is the hairstreak most likely to be seen in this area between April and July. It is named after its green hindwings as its upper wings are brown. Male and female are very similar. It can be spotted settled on plants beside tracks on the Heaths. As it always rests with closed wings it always appears to be green. Eggs are laid singly on buds of their foodplants including gorse, broom and heather in April. The green caterpillar pupates on the ground in later summer and remains in this stage throughout the winter. There is evidence that suggests ants are attracted to and protect the pupae. 
• The Purple Hairstreak Butterfly: It's very difficult to know how common this butterfly is locally for whilst it inhabits this area it is very difficult to see. It feeds on honeydew in the tops of oak trees and as these are numerous locally it's likely this butterfly is as well. Between June and September, avid enthusiasts use binoculars to search for it flying in the canopy of oaks. If you're lucky you'll come across it basking on plants beneath these trees. Iridescent purple areas of the females' upper wings give the butterfly its name; the males are velvety black. The grey underwings have white lines on both wings with orange spots toward the tail and this is how it's usually seen. The eggs are laid in ones and twos on oak leaf buds, overwintering there. On hatching, the caterpillar burrows into the bud to feed unseen emerging as it develops, hiding beneath leaves during the day and feeding overnight. The caterpillar pupates in a cocoon in a tree crevice or leaf litter.
• The Small Copper Butterfly: An orange-brown butterfly whose numbers vary hugely year to year. It's most easily seen feeding on flowers such as ragwort, thistle and blackberry. This butterfly often rests on bare ground and can be seen on footpaths. It perhaps uses these areas to warm up especially during early mornings. Perhaps most likely to be seen in grassland but commonly visits garden flowers.
• The Holly Blue Butterfly: Often difficult to see with open wings.  It is a light powder blue and can often be seen on the ground taking up moisture.
• The Silver-studded Blue Butterfly:  Nationally, this is a rare butterfly as it inhabits heathlands. Locally, it can be seen on the Pebblebed Heaths between mid-June and mid-July. Males have blue upper wings bordered with black and silvery-grey hindwings whilst the females upper and hind wings are brown. Both male and female underwings have a band of orange markings. The butterfly takes its name from the shiny bluish-silver marks centering spots bordering the hindwings. Females fly less than males and their camouflage makes them difficult to find. They are not strong fliers, only moving short distances and are also impacted by windy weather. Eggs are laid singly close to the ground on the foodplant or nearby vegetation including bracken where they overwinter. Caterpillars hatch between February to May feeding mainly on various heathers and gorse. Caterpillars have a symbiotic relationship with 2 species of black ant that take them into their nest and take a sugary solution that the caterpillar secretes for them. The ant then takes caterpillars out to feed at night, guarding them. When mature, the caterpillar pupates in the ants nest and when it hatches, the ant escorts the butterfly out. As the caterpillars require short plant growth, those managing the Heaths scrape areas to provide the butterfly with suitable breeding habitats.