Butterfly identification
Butterflies of the Nymphalidae family
These are the big, predominantly brown, butterflies that frequent Buddleia bushes.
Comma (Polygonia
c-album). Look for 'ragged' wings and the white 'comma' on the underside
of the hindwing.
Painted Lady (Vanessa
cardui). Upperside of wings are light brown.
Peacock (Inachis
io). The eyespots on the upperside wingtips are the distinguishing
feature.
Red Admiral (Vanessa
atalanta). Deep dark chocolate is the predominant colour of the upperside
of the wings with orange/red strips.
Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais
urticae). Look for the yellow and white bars at the top edges of
the forewings and blue at the other edges.