Spring Encounters with the Large Tortoiseshell

 After the incessant winter rain, it was lovely to get out into my local wealden woods during some beautiful early spring sunshine in March. 

After my encounters with the Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) last summer, I was optimistic about seeing some post-hibernators during late February and March. I was not going to be disappointed.

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)

Here are three different individuals.

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Peacock (Aglais io)

Dark-edged Beefly (Bombylius major)

On a dull day in early March, I came across this freshly emerged specimen in the grass. The grey front edges of the wings are yet to darken fully.

 

Vanessids in Sussex

 Vanessids and their relatives are a group of butterflies within the Nymphalidae family.

 In Sussex, they include some of our most attractive species, some of which are familiar to anyone with a buddleia in their garden. 

With the exception of the Purple Emperor (which is sexually dimorphic), the markings on males and females of this group are the same. The sexes can be separated by several subtle differences such as behaviour and abdomen shape. 

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)

This elegant butterfly can be found flitting and gliding in and out of the woodland canopy in many mature woods in Sussex.

(male)

(female)

Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)

This impressive butterfly is a species predominantly found in the mature woodlands of West Sussex but it is occasionally reported further east in the county.

(females)

(male)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

This is a common migrant to Britain and arrives during April and May. It is a continually breeding species, having no hibernation phase. Most head south in the Autumn but increasingly, many can overwinter in southern England as our winters become milder.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Like the previous species, this is also a regular migrant to Britain, occasionally arriving in huge numbers. The majority head south in the Autumn and it is less inclined to overwinter in England.

The following four species all hibernate as adult butterflies during the winter. They are amongst the earliest butterflies to be seen in late winter and spring.

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)

The history of this species in Britain has been largely about periods of plenty interspersed with long periods of scarcity. It was declared extinct in Britain in the latter half of the twentieth century but in 2019/2020, it re-established itself as a breeding species. Perhaps it has always been the case that polychloros arrives on large scale migrations from Europe and can breed in Britain as long as weather conditions suit it. It is certainly breeding in Sussex once again.

(females)

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais uticae)

This once common and familiar species has become worryingly scarce in Sussex in recent years. Whether it is moving northwards as the south becomes warmer and dryer, is unclear. There may be several factors at play.

(courtship)

Peacock (Aglais io)

Thankfully, this beauty is still a common butterfly in Sussex. Predominantly a single brooded species, it has taken advantage of our warming climate in the south and has regularly produced a second brood in recent years.

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

This is a common and widespread butterfly in Sussex. It hibernates in the open on tree trunks and the characteristic jagged wing margins probably help to prevent it from getting blown about in windy conditions. In warm spring and early summer weather, a proportion of paler orange adults (form hutchinsoni) occur in the summer brood.

(form hutchinsoni)

Encounters with the Large Tortoiseshell

 Since the Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) re-established itself as a British breeding species in 2019/2020, I have only had one photographic encounter, back in 2020, following a tip-off from a friend.

 During the intervening years, I have regularly searched likely habitats in my local area during spring and summer but without any sightings.

I have always been an advocate of paying close attention to woodland habitats in my local area, especially during late June and July, when some of my favourite species are on the wing.

While the 'butterfly circus' had moved west for the Purple Emperor season, I was destined to enjoy some wonderful moments with polychloros, during the last week of June.

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)

The week started well when I spotted a probable male on the trackside just ahead of me. I was so pleased that my wife was with me to enjoy her first view of this species.

A few days later, I was alone and spotted an orange butterfly basking in the bracken. I held my breath as I made my approach and was soon holding my camera over a fresh female.

About 45 minutes later, in the same area, I spotted what I assumed was the same female settled with her wings closed. I enjoyed several minutes photographing what turned out to be a different female.

Large Tortoiseshell

My friend Bob has always been very good at keeping me in the loop, whenever he finds an interesting butterfly. When he happened upon his second Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) of the year, on his local patch on Sunday, he kindly gave me a call. 

Bob is very used to me not having my mobile 'phone switched on but we exchanged texts about his find later that evening and I decided that it would be worth an early morning visit to the location the next day.

I was on site by 0745hrs and it wasn't long before a beautiful female polychloros appeared and I had her to myself for 3 hours.


The Large Tortoiseshell has had a curious history as a breeding species in Britain. During the first half of the twentieth century, it occurred in relative abundance, interspersed with long periods of scarcity. During the second half of the century, it became a very scarce butterfly and was eventually presumed to be extinct. From then on, sightings of single specimens were generally regarded as being of doubtful provenance. However, during the last few years, sightings have started to increase in regularity and there appears to have been significant migration events during the springs of 2019 and 2020, culminating in evidence of breeding this year.

The appearance of this species in Britain always generates excitement amongst lepidopterists.

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) (female)