Woodland Butterflies during late June and early July

 Late June and early July are the weeks that I look forward to most of all, during the butterfly season. This is the time when some of my favourite species start to emerge.

 When weather conditions are favourable, I spend every opportunity walking along the woodland edge and wading through the bracken beds, to see what can be found.

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)

A freshly emerged male, slowly moving for best position.

Another male demonstrates wing rolling behaviour as it draws moisture through its proboscis.

I wonder whether wing rolling plays a part in helping the pumping action to draw up moisture through the  proboscis?

It then settles down with wings open.

Female.

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)

Female.

Male.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)

Female.

Male.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) (mating)