Nymphalids, Vanessids & Fritillaries
A diverse family of our largest, most striking and beautiful butterflies containing some well known migrants. Conical eggs, laid singly or in batches produce gregarious caterpillars often sporting long, protective spines. Chrysalises are suspended from the tail end by silken pads and are often attractively adorned with silvery, metallic spines and spots.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Danainae
Tribe: Danaini
Genus: Danaus
Species: plexippus

Key ID Features:
Unmistakable with its rich orange and black pattern and large size.
Strong flapping and gliding flight.

Seen in UK: Rare Autumn migrant (Scilly Isles)

This species is the largest butterfly seen in the British Isles, and is also one of our rarest migrants. This butterfly is known for its ability to migrate across large distances. The migrations in north America are one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world - where the adult butterflies can migrate from as far north as Canada to the overwintering grounds in very specific sites in Mexico, the west coast of California and Florida. The first record of this species in the British Isles, by a schoolboy, was on 6th September 1876 in Neath in south Wales. Although initial records were thought to be the result of accidental transportation by ship, subsequent years, such as 1933 when 40 individuals were caught, meant that this theory was dismissed and that the most-likely cause was a genuine immigration.

The total number of records for the British Isles is less than 500. The most-recent major migration was in 1981 with 135 sightings. Many north American bird species were also recorded that year. However, there is still some question as to the true origin of this immigration since the species is also known from Madeira, southern Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, which it reached in 1860 and survives using Asclepias curassavica as its foodplant.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Danainae
Tribe: Danaini
Genus: Danaus
Species: plexippus

Key ID Features:
Unmistakable with its rich orange and black pattern and large size.
Strong flapping and gliding flight.

Seen in UK: Rare Autumn migrant (Scilly Isles)

This species is the largest butterfly seen in the British Isles, and is also one of our rarest migrants. This butterfly is known for its ability to migrate across large distances. The migrations in north America are one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world - where the adult butterflies can migrate from as far north as Canada to the overwintering grounds in very specific sites in Mexico, the west coast of California and Florida. The first record of this species in the British Isles, by a schoolboy, was on 6th September 1876 in Neath in south Wales. Although initial records were thought to be the result of accidental transportation by ship, subsequent years, such as 1933 when 40 individuals were caught, meant that this theory was dismissed and that the most-likely cause was a genuine immigration.

The total number of records for the British Isles is less than 500. The most-recent major migration was in 1981 with 135 sightings. Many north American bird species were also recorded that year. However, there is still some question as to the true origin of this immigration since the species is also known from Madeira, southern Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, which it reached in 1860 and survives using Asclepias curassavica as its foodplant.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley