Dorset butterflies

There was a great variety of butterflies in Dorset. Large numbers of marbled whites flew on the chalk cliffs.

marbled white

Migrant species included painted ladies.

painted lady

Large numbers of clouded yellows have reached our shores this summer: this species was also common on Scilly.

clouded yellow

I saw a comma along a woodland edge.

comma

Local speciaities included Lulworth skippers

Lulworth skipper.

There was an excellent range of blue butterflies present, including common blue

common blue

a few silver-studded blues still flying at Broadcroft butterfly reserve on Portland (identified by the thick black margins around the wings)

silver-studded blue

and chalkhill blues, abundant at Tout quarry on Portland.

chalkhill blue

copulating chalkhill blues

Back to Dorset 2006

Back to August 2006