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Butterflies 

A new species for Renfrewshire was recorded this summer.

The Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) was spotted in a garden in Ralsoton.

The nearest known colonies are around Irvine so this is quite a jump in range, though whether it settles in as a breeding species remains to be seen. 

 

Status of Renfrewshire Butterflies

 

In the last ten years there have been 19 species of butterflies recorded in Renfrewshire of which all are resident in Scotland, except one solely migrant species from continental Europe. Of the resident butterflies, all except two, are categorized as Least Concern in the UK. At a local level, 8 species are uncommon or rare.

The species of most interest in Renfrewshire are the Large Heath, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Comma, Small Copper and Common Blue. Definite sightings of these should be recorded.  See below for guidance on recording butterflies and good local sites to see them.

Here's a downloadable guide to all local species. It will help you plan this best time to look for specific butterflies and determine what you might expect to see in different habitats.

three photographs of butterflies. the first is a male orange-tip nectaring on a bluebell flower. it shows the green and white mottled underwing and the orange coloured tip of the upperwing. next to the right is a green-veined white on a common sedge flower, showing the greyish-green branching veins on the white underwing. on the far right is a ringlet on a grass flower showing the pale brown underwing with several black spots with a white halo.Some of Renfrewshire's most common butterflies. From left to right: Orange-tip, Green-veined White and Ringlet

 

Notable Species

The Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia) is categorized as Vulnerable in the UK and is a species of conservation concern in southwest Scotland. Drainage and loss of suitable habitats has led to declining numbers and sightings are rare although it is under-recorded as access is difficult in the boggy habitats it prefers.

The Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, SPBF (Boloria selene) is categorized as Near Threatened and although widespread across Renfrewshire is only found in low numbers in discrete colonies. Renfrewshire’s only other fritillary, the Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)​, is also locally rare, although within the UK it is categorized as Least Concern.

three photographs of butterflies. the first is a large heath side on showing the brown and orange colouring and black spot on the wing . the next on the right is a small pearl-bordered fritillary on a vetch flower showing the bright orange, pale orange and white mottling with black spots and lines on the underwing. on the far right is a dark green fritillary on a buddlieia flower with its wings open showing the orange colour of the wing and dark brown markings.From left to right: Large Heath, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Dark Green Fritillary

The Comma (Polygonia c-album) at one time was considered a migrant to Scotland but in recent years its territory has spread north and sightings in Renfrewshire have been increasing, although still rare and usually solitary. With milder winters it is thought to be overwintering now in south Glasgow.          

The Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus) is regarded as uncommon in Renfrewshire however, it is unusual as the butterflies are usually only seen flying the top canopy of mature oak trees between 6-8pm. Because of this it is easily over-looked and has been under-recorded.

The Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)​ is also uncommon with patchy distribution within Renfrewshire. It is our only butterfly with green wings, which provide excellent camouflage when it is roosting and feeding.

three photographs of butterflies. the first is a comma butterfly perched on a leaf with its wings open showing the ragged outline of its wing and the orange and brown colour of its upperwings. the next on the right is of a purple hairstreak butterfly perched on bracken leaves with its wings open showing the black colour with purple-blue iridescence of the upperwings. on the far right is a green hairstreak on a blaeberry leaf with its wings closed showng the emerald green underwing with white streak of spots.From left to right: Comma, Purple Hairstreak and Green Hairstreak

The Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is our only blue butterfly in Renfrewshire. It is found in discrete colonies across the county.

The Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)​ is one of our smallest butterflies. Although widely distributed across Renfrewshire it is usually only found in small numbers.

The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is our only migrant is which is a frequent visitor. Numbers of this species vary greatly from year to year with mass migrations roughly every decade. The last of these were in 2009 and 2019. Another migrant, the Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), is an extremely rare visitor with none recorded since 2012 when one was seen in Lochwinnoch*. A Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) was sighted in Gourock in 2021 which is very unusual although it is a resident butterfly in Argyll.

three photographs of butterflies. the first shows a pair of common blues perched on a plantain flower showing the greyish blue underwing with white, black and orange spots. the next on the right is of a small copper perched on a ragwort flower showing the orange colour of its upperwing with dark brown markings and blue spots. on the far right is a painted lady on a red clover flower with its wings open showing the pale orange colour with dark brown and white markings.From left to right: Common Blue, Small Copper and Painted Lady

All other butterflies found in Renfrewshire are commonly found, with the Green-veined white (Pieris napi) being the most common. The Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), which used to have limited distribution in Renfrewshire, has increased in number and distribution dramatically since 2010 and is now very common across the county.

*source: NBN Atlas Scotland

Recording butterflies 

Butterfly Conservation has a useful website where you can find out more about butterflies and moths. Their free iRecord Butterflies smartphone app is a great way to record butterflies when you are out and about. It includes a guide for likely species in your area, with useful identification tips, and when you record a sighting it automatically logs your location grid reference. You can use it to log caterpillars, pupae or adults and you can attach photographs of your sightings which help to confirm the more unusual records.

ID tips

Size can be quite variable and not a reliable method of identifying butterflies. The best way to distinguish between similar species is to look at the markings on the upper and under surface of the wing and wing shape. Sometimes it can be difficult to see these if the butterfly is moving quickly or some distance away.  A good idea is to take photographs and then zoom in on the image to look for distinguishing features.

Good local sites to see butterflies 

Glen Moss SWT Reserve, Kilmacolm – Marshland and wet heath around the open water and woodland edges. Species: Green Hairstreak, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Health, Small Copper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Orange-tip, Green-veined White.

Greenock Cut, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park - Heathland and grassland around Dunrod Hill. Species: Green Hairstreak; Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Large Heath; Green-veined White; Small Copper; Ringlet; Small Heath, Peacock

Monument Wood and Windy Hill, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park - Woodland glades, Heathland and grassland. Species: Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Orange-tip, Ringlet, Peacock, Meadow Brown Green-veined White

Woodlands for Purple Hairstreak: Boden Boo, Erskine; Shaw Wood, Dykebar; Rocks Plantation and Bull Wood, Hurlethill; Linn Park, Glasgow.

Helping butterflies

Butterfly Conservation welcome volunteers to help with monitoring butterfly transects and conservation work such as meadow maintenance and bog restoration. There is an an active Glasgow and South and West Scotland branch and their Facebook page is a useful source of information on local events and sightings.

 

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