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)