The northern butterfly species

However, the conditions of the woodlands create a habitat that is suitable for a range of species, hence the high numbers. Here are some of the butterfly species in Lakeland at present

butterfly red


The Mountain Ringlet

This butterfly has a dark-brown hue with some orange eyespots on its wings. The difference between it and the Scotch Argus lies in the colour of the eyespots as the latter has white ones. It is not easy to come across this species as their colonies are quite remote. It is hard to determine the status of this species due to the unpredictable weather in the ranges as well as the remoteness of their habitats. However, studies show that it is sustainable.

The adults come out when the sun is bright. They can also come out when there is dull weather. They tend to keep low to the ground, and they fly for short distances before pausing on flowers and grass along their path for feeding. They mainly feed on mat-grass. They are pretty average in size when compared to other species, and they have a wingspan of about thirty-five millimetres.

The Scotch Argus

The Scotch Argus is quite prevalent in Scotland, hence its name. Over time, it has spread to the Lakeland region where it occupies the damp areas. The males are quite conspicuous, and they fly in the warm months as they look for mates. When the weather is unfavourable, they tend to perch on grass as they seek out nearby butterflies. The females are harder to see than the males as they spend most of their time basking in the sun. As at now, their existence is not under threat, but they are under watch from conservationists who feel that this status could change.

They are of medium size, and their wingspan ranges between thirty-five and forty millimetres, depending on their gender. They mainly feed on moor-grass which is available in both Scotland and the Lakeland region.

The Large Heath

This butterfly also goes by the name Coenonympha Tulia, and it lives in wet regions. The adults sit with their wings closed and they can fly even in dull weather conditions as long as the air temperature is higher than 14 B:C. The underwing spots vary depending on the range and the region. The status of this butterfly is ‘Under Threat’ as the population has reduced significantly over the years. There are plans underway to increase their population.

These butterflies are small to medium in size with an average wingspan of forty-one millimetres. They mainly feed on cottongrass.

Other butterfly species
small blue butterfly

The Small Blue

This resident butterfly is quite small with dark colouring. It lives in the grasslands where it can easily access its primary food source: the kidney vetch. The males create territories in sheltered areas such as tall grasses or shrubs. They mate with females which then leave to lay the eggs. You can find both sexes in the grasslands as from late afternoon. They prefer to have small colonies. Their current status is that of a declining population, and there are measures in place to deal with the situation. They have a wingspan of about twenty to thirty millimetres, depending on the gender, with the females being more significant in size.

the marsh fritillary

The Marsh Fritillary

This butterfly species in under threat and is therefore subject to conservation efforts. Part of the reason behind its decline is the encroachment of human settlements which have reduced space for their habitats. It has much brighter wings than those of other fritillaries, giving it a beautiful appearance. It is much bigger than most butterflies with a wingspan ranging from forty-two to forty-eight millimetres. This species survives on Scabious.

the peacock butterfly

The Peacock Butterfly

This species gets its name from its spectacular pattern of eyespots. These eyespots are as a result of an evolution in a bid to scare off predators. It has very dark undersides that have the look of dead leaves. It prefers to live in woodlands where it can get shelter. As at now, it is not under threat. With a wingspan of about sixty-three to sixty-nine millimetres, this butterfly is quite large.