Butterflies are solid proof that nature has an astounding ability to accessorise the word with its splendour, and there are some beautiful butterflies to spot in your garden today, which I would like to share. Butterflies are an essential part of the pollination process as they fly from flower to flower, feeding on the nectar. From June to September, there are some butterflies which you may be able to spot in your garden and there are also some ways to attract more beautiful butterflies to your garden, such as by using a butterfly feeder with sugared water and by planting some of the flowers they're attracted to.
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1. Common Blue
One of the most beautiful butterflies is the Common Blue. It does have more of an exotic Latin name: Polyommatus icarus. This butterfly loves thyme, thistle, bugle and knapweed and is the most widespread blue butterfly in Britain and Ireland. It can also be found over much of Europe, Asia and northern Africa. As well as gardens, it loves other sheltered spots, such as coastal dunes and meadows.
2. Red Admiral
This butterfly sounds as though it should be collecting its medal for faithful service to nature, and its Latin name is Vanessa atalanta. It enjoys feasting on rotten fruit, which isn't so lovely, but also loves to flutter by bramble, buddleia, teasle and flowering ivy. The Red Admiral migrates north from mainland Europe as summer progresses and can be found in British gardens, urban areas and sea shores. It can also be found in Asia and North America.
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3. Swallowtail
This global species loves to float around the ragged robin, thistle and teasle. It can be found in alpine meadows and hillsides or in the fenlands of the norfolk broads. There are over 500 species of the swallowtail butterfly and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. North America has 40 species whilst only one species, Papilio machaon, can be found in the British Isles.
4. Peacock
We all know how beautiful Peacocks are with their gorgeous colors. The Peacock butterfly is just as gorgeous but on a much smaller scale. If you have lavender in your garden then you're sure to spot them fluttering by and they love to hibernate in sheds and garages too.
5. Comma
What a beautiful way to punctuate your garden! The Comma or Polygonia c-album loves bramble, ivy, knapweed and privet. They can be found in woodlands and country lanes. With their irregular wing edges, they can be found in northern Africa, Europe and Asia.
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6. Large White
The Large White is also known as Cabbage White, or if you want to sound really clever, Pieris Brassicae. They can be found pretty much everywhere and because their larvae hatch on areas where brassicas are grown, they can be found flying around turnips, cabbages and Brussels sprouts. They also love bluebells, dandelions, oil-seed rape and knapweed.
7. Painted Lady
The Painted Lady's Latin name is Vanessa Cardui and this beauty loves plants such as aster, knapweed, thistle, red clover and marigold. She can be found anywhere on the British Isles and each year these butterflies migrate to Britain from Ireland, the Middle East, north Africa and Central Asia.
I love butterflies and my wardrobe looks a little like Kew Gardens with its array of floral and butterfly prints. I also enjoy butterfly spotting in my garden and when out on walks. Is anyone else a butterfly fan and have you spotted any of these beauties in your garden?
Sources: butterflywebsite.com, britishbutterflies.co.uk, butterfly-conservation.org
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