Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 70

life

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

Photos by Ian Pratt - Main: Dark Green Fritillary - inset White Admiral Right: Silver Washed Fritillary

Butterflies at Eaglehead
and Bloodstone Copses
Article by Ian Pratt
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife
Reserve at Eaglehead and Bloodstone
Copse is one of the finest examples of
chalk woodland on the Isle of Wight.
This reserve is home to two of the UK’s
largest and most spectacular butterflies:
the White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) and
the Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja).
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They both appear on the wing in late

The White Admiral is a stunning

June until mid/late August, and are

woodland butterfly, with white bands on

difficult to miss because of their size

dark brown/black wings. Its delicate flight

(56-66 mms wingspan approximately).

is characterised by short periods of wing

Both are members of the Nymphalidae

beats followed by long gliding flight. It

family, which includes many of the large

often nectars on bramble along the sides

easily recognisable butterflies in the UK

of rides or clearings in woods and lays its

such as the Red Admiral, Painted Lady,

eggs on honeysuckle. It is usually quite

Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Purple

tolerant of shade and dappled sunlight,

Emperor.

and when seen for the first time can be