Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Butterflies Page 8

Image Taken on 30 Sep 2007 at 12:41 Image of day on 29 Oct 2007

Another source of energy for butterflies is damaged fruit berries. Normally spotted on apple windfalls (very few this year) this Comma butterfly is finding the fruit-juice welcome.

Ref: 20071029_d01_20070930_1241_009 comma butterfly on blackberry fruits (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 07 Jul 2018 at 17:36 Image of day on 29 Aug 2018

A Handsome Comma Butterfly perched on a Blackberry leaf on which it is throwing a lovely shadow.

Ref: 20180829_d72_20180707_1736_021 comma butterfly on blackberry leaf(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Apr 2023 at 12:47 Image of day on 17 May 2023

First sighting this year of a Comma Butterfly, out from Hibernation to start a new generation this year. This individual is in remarkably good condition after spending 6 months 'asleep'.

Ref: 20230517_df3_20230408_1247_169 comma butterfly on blackthorn blossom (1st of 2023)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 31 Mar 2025 at 15:36 Image of day on 12 May 2025

The sheet of Corrugated Iron by the side of the path across the meadow gets really quite hot if the sun is out even on cool days. Butterflies love to warm themselves on it, as well as many other insects.

Ref: 20250512_df3_20250331_1536_108 comma butterfly on corrugated iron(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 17 Apr 2022 at 15:22 Image of day on 17 May 2022

Here a Comma Butterfly (comma marks on the dark bottom of the wings hidden here) making an attractive contrast with the fresh green leaves.

Ref: 20220517_df3_20220417_1522_067 comma butterfly on hedge(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Jul 2014 at 16:12 Image of day on 14 Sep 2014

A pristine Comma Butterfly ('comma' is on the other side of the wing) perched on a frond of Hop Sedge around the Duck shaped pond.

Ref: 20140914_df2_20140708_1612_139 comma butterfly on hop sedge(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 24 Jun 2018 at 16:05 Image of day on 09 Aug 2018

This is a Comma Butterfly (the white 'comma' giving it is name just visible on the lower surface of the right wing). This was on Hop Sedge where we now see them most years in the spring/summer. We used to only see them on windfall apples in the orchard in the Autumn.

Ref: 20180809_df3_20180624_1605_025 comma butterfly on hop sedge at duck-shaped pond(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 10 Jul 2014 at 16:36 Image of day on 14 Sep 2014

A pristine Comma butterfly showing white 'comma' on the bottom of the wing and the bright orange top of wing.

Ref: 20140914_df2_20140710_1636_030 comma butterfly on hop sedge frond showing both sides of wing (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 12 Jul 2013 at 15:45 Image of day on 05 Sep 2013

Out first sighting of a Comma butterfly this year, atypically perched over a pond on the Hop Sedge

Ref: 20130905_df1_20130712_1545_123 comma butterfly on hop sedge leaf (adjusted crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 20 Sep 2019 at 12:34 Image of day on 12 Nov 2019

This view through the underside of the wing just shows the 'comma' of the Butterfly showing through from the 'top' side. This one is on an Ivy flower.

Ref: 20191112_df3_20190920_1234_121 comma butterfly on ivy flower viewed from below but top lit(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image of day on 05 Aug 2005

The top view of this comma butterfly shows the display colours. The wonderful scalloped edges are part of its disguise - see tomorrow.

Ref: 20050805_p20_1020821 comma butterfly on large-leaved lime 2005jul28_17-52-24(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 06 Aug 2005

The underwing of this comma butterfly shows the camouflage view that with both colour and wing edges mimics a dead leaf.

Ref: 20050806_p20_1020842 comma butterfly on large-leaved lime 2005jul28_17-54-28(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 15 Jul 2012 at 12:42 Image of day on 25 Aug 2012

Our first Comma butterfly this year. Until recent years we only saw these in the Autumn feasting on the juice of squashed windfall apples.

Ref: 20120825_df1_20120715_1242_049 comma butterfly on leaf (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 11 Jul 2023 at 16:21 Image of day on 02 Sep 2023

Comma Butterfly, named for the white mark on the bottom of the wings that you only see when the wings are closed, can be seen all over the sunny areas.

Ref: 20230902_d72_20230711_1621_036 comma butterfly on leaf on duck pond island(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 21 Jun 2022 at 16:26 Image of day on 08 Aug 2022

A similar view of a Comma Butterfly. The 'comma' is the white shape appearing only on the underneath of the wing.

Ref: 20220808_d72_20220621_1626_037 comma butterfly on leaf show uper and lower wings(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 02 Apr 2016 at 12:28 Image of day on 07 May 2016

First seen a few days ago, on this warmish day there we a few over-wintered Comma Butterflies re-fuelling from the May blossom. They will be keen to find a mate to lays the eggs for this Autumns generation

Ref: 20160507_df3_20160402_1228_057 comma butterfly on may blossom(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 20 Sep 2019 at 12:30 Image of day on 12 Nov 2019

Comma Butterflies seem to have been about since Spring. These will overwinter as Adults in some protected spot (like a shed!) to appear next April to lay the eggs for the new 2020 generation. This one is on a Mint flower.

Ref: 20191112_df3_20190920_1230_117 comma butterfly on mint flower(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 20 Sep 2019 at 14:33 Image of day on 12 Nov 2019

Back on a Mint flowers, the underside of this Comma Butterfly emphasises the wonderful scalloped edge and the white 'comma' mark.

Ref: 20191112_df3_20190920_1433_153 comma butterfly on mint flower(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 25 Mar 2016 at 12:20 Image of day on 28 Apr 2016

Here the same Comma Butterfly has moved on to a daffodil flower for a sunbathe. At low air temperatures the sun is needed to bring them up to 'operating temperature'. Unfortunately they can't feed on Daffodils, but there are plenty of Primroses, Snowdrops and May flowers for them to feed on.

Ref: 20160428_df3_20160325_1220_192 comma butterfly on outside of daffodil flower(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 15 Jul 2009 at 18:13 Image of day on 18 Aug 2009

A little special for the Woodland Trust phenology enthusiasts - a Comma Butterfly on a fruiting Rowan - both 'recorded' species.

Ref: 20090818_db1_20090715_1813_048 comma butterfly on rowan leaf near ripening rowan berries (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

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