Dragonflies, butterflies and moths
Golden ringed dragonfly
Cordulegaster boltonii
A medium sized dragonfly with striking black and golden rings along its body length of 70-85mm. When resting the clear wings, which have a span of between 90- 105mmm, are at 90 degrees to the body. The golden-ringed dragonfly larvae take three years to...
Pearl bordered fritillary
Boloria euphrosyne
Sexes are similar in size, but females are slightly bigger. Males are often seen flitting and gliding low over the ground in search of females. In spring the black caterpillars with pairs of yellow hairy spikes on each segment are seen basking on dead br...
Poplar hawk moth
Boloria euphrosyne
The commonest of the hawk moths, its caterpillars feed on the leaves of particular trees, aspen, poplars and willows. They are night flying. The adults have a grey and brown banded camouflage pattern on their wings. They have a distinctive way of resting ...
Scotch argus
Erebia aethiops
The Scotch Argus is often known as the Scottish butterfly. It is relatively common and widespread. In sunshine, males are very active, flying almost without rest, weaving low through the grass in search of a mate. The males have two white eyespots on e...
Chequered Skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
This colourful butterfly gets its name from the yellow spots found on the upper side of its wings which gives the effect of a chequered like appearance. Once found in England, it was declared extinct in 1976 before being found in damp grassy woodland habi...
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