We see five butterflies from this group on the Wildlife Site: Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall (Lasiommata megra) and Gatekeeper (Pyronia Tithonus).
Meadow Brown butterflies are seen in very large numbers, sometimes thousands, distributed across the hay meadows (Fields 1,2) and the flower meadow at Downlee Lodge in July to September. The wing colours seem to vary somewhat but the males' are generally more uniform brown than the females'. The adults feed on a variety of flowers and the caterpillars feed on grasses. The eggs are laid singly on blades of grass or dropped in flight.
Ringlet are seen frequently in July-August in the Wildlife Site hedgerows and Field corners, e.g. hedgerow h1 in Field1, Downlee Lodge orchard and the public footpath near the railway line, all places where brambles grow. In flight the Ringlet looks rather like the male Meadow Brown but the Ringlet is darker and slightly smaller. The rings that give this butterfly its name are more noticeable when it is at rest with its wings closed.
The aptly named Speckled Wood are seen in the orchard and lightly wooded areas around Downlee Lodge at various times from April to September.
Gatekeeper are seen occasionally in August on brambles in the hedgerows and orchard at Downlee Lodge. They are smaller and more orange than the Meadow Brown and have two white dots in the forewing false-eyespot.
The Wall Brown (Lasiommata megra) is more boldly patterned than the Gatekeeper. The Wall is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and is classed as Near Threatened on the Butterfly Red List for Great Britain because there has been a large decline in inland populations. It has been seen at various times between May and October, basking on flowers and hard surfaces around Downlee Lodge and on the drystone wall alongside the public footpath at the top of Fields 1 and 2.
Photographs of Brown Butterflies
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Meadow Brown Ringlet Speckled Wood Gatekeeper Wall Butterfly
