Orange Butterflies
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
The painted lady is a migrant to the UK during the summer. Sometimes it arrives here in enormous numbers. The adults are nectar feeders and are known to visit over 100 different flowers. Their caterpillars feed on Dwarf Thistles, Mallows and Viper’s Bugloss, all of which we are providing for them on the bank.
First sighting 14 July 2024
Also seen 20 May and 5 July 2025
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
Adult small skippers consume nectar from various flowers but especially Knapweeds and Thistles, which are growing in profusion on the bank. The larvae primarily feed on grasses.
First sighting 5 July 2025
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)
Also known as Hedge Brown. Adult Gatekeepers consume nectar from a variety of flowering plants including the Wild Marjoram and Ragwort growing on the bank. Their caterpillars feed on grasses.
It can be difficult to distinguish between Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns. Gatekeepers are more orange than Meadow Browns with a thick brown border. They also typically have two white spots within the black eye-spot on their forewings while Meadow Browns usually have only one.
First sighting on the BB - 5 July 2025