Butterflies: Fauna of the UK Overview
The UK is home to a fascinating diversity of butterfly species, with around 59 native species fluttering through its woodlands, meadows, gardens, and coastal areas. Butterflies are a key indicator of environmental health due to their sensitivity to habitat changes, and they play a vital role in pollination. This page will explore at least 40 of the UK’s butterfly species, highlighting their habitats, behaviours, and conservation status.
Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
The Small Tortoiseshell is one of the UK’s most familiar and widespread butterflies. Known for its bright orange and black wings with blue spots along the edges, it is found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands. It feeds on nectar from flowers such as buddleia and hibernates during winter in sheds or attics.
Peacock (Aglais io)
The Peacock butterfly is easily recognisable by its vibrant eye spots on the wings, which serve as a defence mechanism against predators. Common across the UK, it inhabits gardens, parks, and open countryside. It overwinters as an adult and emerges in early spring.
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
This striking black, red, and white butterfly is a migratory species, arriving from southern Europe in spring. Red Admirals can be seen in a variety of habitats, including gardens and woodlands, feeding on nectar and rotting fruit.
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Another migratory species, the Painted Lady travels from North Africa to the UK each year. With its orange, black, and white markings, it is a common sight in gardens and open fields. Its population fluctuates greatly depending on the success of migration.
Comma (Polygonia c-album)
The Comma butterfly has distinctive ragged wings with orange and brown markings. It is common in woodland edges, hedgerows, and gardens. The species gets its name from the white “C” shape on its underside, which helps with camouflage.
Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
The Brimstone is one of the first butterflies to appear in spring, with its pale yellow wings mimicking the look of leaves. It favours open woodlands and hedgerows and is thought to be the inspiration behind the term “butter-fly.”
Large White (Pieris brassicae)
Commonly referred to as the cabbage white, this butterfly is often seen in gardens and farmlands. Its white wings with black tips make it easily recognisable. The larvae (caterpillars) are considered pests as they feed on brassicas such as cabbages and kale.
Small White (Pieris rapae)
Similar to the Large White but smaller in size, the Small White is also widespread across gardens and open fields. While its larvae can cause damage to garden vegetables, it is less destructive than the Large White.
Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
The Green-veined White butterfly is found in damper habitats such as meadows, woodland clearings, and riverbanks. Its pale white wings have fine greenish veins on the underside, which distinguish it from other white butterflies.
Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
The Orange-tip is a springtime butterfly, with males sporting bright orange tips on their wings. It is commonly seen in woodland edges, meadows, and gardens, where it feeds on wildflowers such as cuckoo flower and garlic mustard.
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
This brown and cream butterfly is found in shaded woodlands, where it often perches in sunlit spots. It has a characteristic speckled pattern and can be seen flying from spring through to autumn.
Learn more about the Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
One of the most common and widespread butterflies in the UK, the Meadow Brown is often seen in grasslands, meadows, and gardens. Its dull brown wings with an orange patch and a single black eye spot make it easy to identify.
Learn more about the Meadow Brown
Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
The Ringlet butterfly is associated with damp grasslands and woodland edges. It has dark brown wings with a row of small, ring-like spots, hence the name. It is often seen flying in dull or overcast weather.
Learn more about the Ringlet
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)
The Gatekeeper, or Hedge Brown, is commonly found in hedgerows, meadows, and gardens. Its orange and brown wings with eye spots are similar to those of the Meadow Brown but with a more pronounced orange colouring.
Learn more about the Gatekeeper
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
The Common Blue is the most widespread of the blue butterflies in the UK. Males have bright blue wings, while females are brown with orange spots. It favours grasslands, meadows, and coastal dunes.
Learn more about the Common Blue
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
The Holly Blue is often seen in gardens and woodland edges, especially near holly and ivy, which serve as food plants for its caterpillars. Its delicate pale blue wings distinguish it from other blue butterflies.
Learn more about the Holly Blue
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
This small butterfly is known for its bright copper-orange wings with black spots. It is often found in sunny spots in gardens, grasslands, and heathlands, feeding on nectar from wildflowers.
Learn more about the Small Copper
Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
The Silver-washed Fritillary is a large, orange butterfly with black markings and a silvery sheen on the underside of its wings. It inhabits woodlands, where it can be seen gliding through sunny clearings in late summer.
Learn more about the Silver-washed Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)
The Dark Green Fritillary is a fast-flying butterfly found in grasslands and coastal areas. Its orange wings are adorned with black spots, and the underside has distinctive greenish patches.
Learn more about the Dark Green Fritillary
Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
Despite its name, the Marbled White is not related to the white butterflies. It has striking black and white chequered wings and is commonly found in meadows and grasslands. Its caterpillars feed on grasses, and it is often seen in southern England.
Learn more about the Marbled White
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
The Small Skipper is a small, orange-brown butterfly commonly seen in grasslands, meadows, and road verges. It is often confused with the Large Skipper but is more delicate in appearance. Its larvae feed on grasses like Yorkshire fog and timothy.
Learn more about the Small Skipper
Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
The Large Skipper is a robust, orange-brown butterfly with faint dark markings. It inhabits grassy areas, woodlands, and gardens, favouring sunny, sheltered spots. Its caterpillars feed on coarse grasses such as cocksfoot and false brome.
Learn more about the Large Skipper
Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
The Brown Argus is a small, delicate butterfly with brown wings and orange spots along the edges. It is typically found in grasslands, meadows, and coastal dunes. The larvae feed on plants like common rock-rose and various types of cranesbill.
Learn more about the Brown Argus
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
This inconspicuous butterfly has pale brown and orange wings with eye spots. It is commonly found in dry grasslands, heathlands, and coastal dunes. The Small Heath is often seen basking in the sun on short vegetation.
Learn more about the Small Heath
Chalk Hill Blue (Polyommatus coridon)
The Chalk Hill Blue is a butterfly associated with chalk and limestone grasslands, primarily in southern England. Males have silvery-blue wings, while females are brown. The larvae feed on horseshoe vetch.
Learn more about the Chalk Hill Blue
Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)
Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)
The Adonis Blue is one of the UK’s most striking butterflies, with vibrant blue wings in males and brown wings in females. It is a rare species, typically found on chalk downlands, where its caterpillars feed on horseshoe vetch.
Learn more about the Adonis Blue
Heath Fritillary (Melitaea-athalia)
This butterfly, often called the “woodman’s friend,” is found in coppiced woodlands and heathlands. Its wings are orange with brown markings, and it is one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, with populations limited to southern England.
Learn more about the Heath Fritillary
White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
The White Admiral is a woodland butterfly, characterised by its graceful, gliding flight. Its black wings with white bands and brown underwings make it stand out. The larvae feed on honeysuckle in shady woodland areas.
Learn more about the White Admiral
Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)
One of the UK’s most elusive and largest butterflies, the Purple Emperor is known for its stunning iridescent purple wings, particularly in males. It is found in mature woodlands, especially in southern England, and its larvae feed on goat willow.
Learn more about the Purple Emperor
Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
The Clouded Yellow is a migratory butterfly that arrives in the UK from southern Europe and North Africa. It has bright yellow wings with black borders and can be seen in meadows, grasslands, and coastal areas during summer months.
Learn more about the Clouded Yellow
Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
The Small Blue is the UK’s smallest butterfly, with dark blue wings in males and brownish-grey wings in females. It inhabits chalk and limestone grasslands, where its larvae feed on kidney vetch. It is a scarce species in the UK.
Learn more about the Small Blue
Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)
The Pearl-bordered Fritillary is a declining species found in sunny woodland clearings. Its orange wings are marked with black spots and a row of white “pearls” along the edges. The larvae feed on violets.
Learn more about the Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia)
The Glanville Fritillary is a rare butterfly in the UK, primarily found on the Isle of Wight. It has orange wings with black markings and is associated with coastal grasslands. The larvae feed on plantains.
Learn more about the Glanville Fritillary
Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
The Silver-spotted Skipper is a small, brown butterfly with distinctive white spots on the underside of its wings. It inhabits chalk downlands in southern England and is a relatively rare species. Its larvae feed on sheep’s fescue.
Learn more about the Silver-spotted Skipper
High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)
The High Brown Fritillary is a large orange butterfly with black spots, similar to other fritillaries. Once widespread, it is now one of the UK’s most endangered butterflies, found in small colonies in upland areas and limestone pavements.
Learn more about the High Brown Fritillary
Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
The Duke of Burgundy is a small, brown butterfly with orange spots, confined to a few sites in southern England. It favours scrubby grassland and woodland clearings, and its larvae feed on cowslip and primrose.
Learn more about the Duke of Burgundy
Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
The Grayling is a master of camouflage, blending perfectly into stony or sandy habitats such as coastal dunes and heathlands. Its wings are brown with a dark eye spot, and it often rests with its wings closed, exposing its cryptic underside.
Learn more about the Grayling
Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
The Northern Brown Argus is closely related to the Brown Argus but is found in more northerly regions, particularly in Scotland. It inhabits grassy slopes and coastal cliffs, where its larvae feed on common rock-rose.
Learn more about the Northern Brown Argus
Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia)
The Large Heath is found in peat bogs and damp moorlands, primarily in northern England and Scotland. Its pale brown wings have small eye spots, and the larvae feed on various sedge species. It is a species of conservation concern due to habitat loss.
Learn more about the Large Heath
Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
The Chequered Skipper is a rare butterfly confined to western Scotland. It has golden-brown wings with a distinctive chequered pattern. It inhabits damp, grassy clearings in woodlands and is a focus of conservation efforts due to its limited distribution.
Learn more about the Chequered Skipper
Conservation Status and Threats
Many of the UK’s butterfly species are under threat due to habitat loss, agricultural intensification, and climate change. Some species, like the High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe) and the Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina), have experienced significant declines in population. Conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and the creation of butterfly reserves, are essential to preserving these species.
Butterflies are not only important for the beauty they bring to landscapes, but they also serve as indicators of a healthy environment. Their sensitivity to changes in habitat makes them early warning signs of environmental degradation. Through ongoing conservation efforts, the UK aims to protect and promote the survival of its butterfly fauna for future generations.
Conclusion
The UK is home to a rich and varied butterfly population, with over 50 species fluttering through its diverse habitats. From the common Small Tortoiseshell to the elusive Silver-washed Fritillary, butterflies are an essential part of the UK’s natural heritage. Conservation measures must continue to ensure that these beautiful and important creatures can thrive amidst ongoing environmental challenges.
The diversity of butterflies in the UK is a reflection of the country’s varied habitats, from grasslands and woodlands to coastal regions and moorlands. While many butterfly species thrive in certain regions, others are increasingly under threat due to habitat loss, agricultural practices, and other environmental pressures. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and the protection of key butterfly reserves, are essential in ensuring the survival of these beautiful and ecologically important species across the UK.