Coppers and Metalmarks in Sussex

 This winter, I am continuing the theme of Butterflies in Sussex, that I started last winter.

Of the two species covered in this post, one is a common member of the Lycaenidae family and the other is the only member of the Riodinidae family to occur in Britain.

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

This species is widespread and fairly common in Sussex and can be found in a range of habitats. It is probably most at home on downland but is also found on heathland, along woodland rides and field edges. It generally has three broods a year and I find that it becomes more numerous with each brood.

Male

Female

Female (form caeruleopunctata)

A predatory Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) awaits prey on the fleabane head on the left.

Mating pair

This species is subject to great variation and has many named aberrations.

Here are a couple of examples.

Male (ab. schmidtii) 

Female (ab. extensa)

Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)

This species is the only member of the Riodinidae family (Metalmarks) to occur in Britain and is one of our rarest and most vulnerable resident species.

 In Sussex, it was on the brink of extinction at the turn of the century but due to targeted habitat management, its numbers have increased very well and its populations in West Sussex are stable. It occurs in discreet colonies on north-facing slopes.

Males

Females

Mating pair

The female (left) has 3 pairs of walking legs and the male has only two pairs. 

Female, with pigment deformity in right forewing.

Early Autumn on Pevensey Levels

Since the beginning of September, the maize crop has been harvested for winter feed, the meadows have been mown and the hedgerows and tracksides have been cut back. The Environment Agency has already started raking the Floating Pennywort (an invasive species) from the water ditches and Pevensey Levels have a rather end of season feel about them.  

However, there is still plenty of  wildlife activity to be found.

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) (3rd brood female)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) (2nd brood female)

Wall (Lasiommata megera) (3rd brood)

(male)

(female)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Peacock (Aglais io) (2nd brood)

The Peacock has predominantly been a single brooded species in Britain but during the last decade or more, a second brood has become an increasingly regular occurrence and on Pevensey Levels, there has been a significant second brood emergence this year.

Peacock (Aglais io)

 (final instar larva preparing to pupate on 31st August 2025)

(the larva had successfully pupated on 1st September 2025)

(the pupa on 5th September 2025)

A few days later I revisited the pupa to find that it had been dislodged during windy weather. It was suspended by just a very fine thread and spinning in the wind and I reluctantly brought it home for safe keeping.

(the darkening pupa on 14th September 2025)

(by 15th September 2025, the wing markings were visible through the pupal membrane)

(on the 16th September 2025, the imago has emerged)

(the imago was safely returned near to where it pupated)

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) (male)

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) (male)

Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) (male)

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) (juvenile)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) (nest)

(this empty nest was exposed to view after trackside mowing)

Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa fuliginosa)

(mature larva basking on reed stem)

 

Late Summer on Pevensey Levels

 After a hot summer, there is definitely a feel that autumn is just around the corner. However, this does not mean that the insect season is over just yet, with the potential for more excitement to come during September and October.

The following images were taken during late July and August on Pevensey Levels.

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

(male)

(female)

  

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)

 (male)

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)

(Immature male)

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis)

(male)

Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi)

(female)

Suede Bolete (Boletus subtomentosus)

This fungus is also known as Yellow Cracking Bolete.

Return to the Downs

 The rolling chalk hills of the South Downs is a landscape that I love. They provide a fantastic habitat for many species (some only to be found on chalk) and since I was a boy, I have spent many hours exploring the hilltops and secret valleys of what is now the South Downs National Park.

In recent years, for one reason or another, I have not been able to spend as much time as I would have liked walking the ancient chalk trackways. However, after two knee operations, I am keen to make up for lost time.

I have made the most of the sunny weather during the last two weeks of May and have been visiting some old haunts.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Small Blue (Cupido minimus)

(male)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)

(males)

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

(male)

Several day-flying moth species were on the wing and a couple stopped for a photograph.

Common Heath (Ematurga atomaria atomaria)

(male)

Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata bilineata)

Burnt-tip Orchid (Neotinia ustulata var.ustulata)

This rare and endangered orchid is only found on short chalkland sward.