Comma
(Polygonia c-album)

Wingspan: 55-60mm

Description
The closed jagged wings of the Comma give the appearance of a dead leaf. This camaflage protects it whist it roosts and over winters. On the underside a distintive small white comma shaped mark give this butterfliy its name. The orange upperwing is blotched with brown and black.

Flight Period
The Comma overwinters as an adult so is one of the first butterflies to be seen in the year. It can be seen in most moths but is scarce in May & June.

Larval Food plants

Hop (Humulus sp)
Elm (Ulmus sp)
Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Habitat Requirements
Woods, Copses, Hedgerows and mature gardens.

Wiltshire Status
Resident, common  /frequent and widespread,

Wiltshire Sites
Occurs in all suitable habitat.

Earliest sightings

10 February 2011 Salisbury
  2 March      2010 Westbury
  7 March      2009 Harnham garden
  7 February 2008 Picket Wood

Purple Emperor
Apatura iris

Wingspan 70-92mm
Average Male 75mm, Female 84mm

Description
This magnificent, enigmatic butterfly is one of the most sought after UK species. Its large size and purple sheen of the male is well worth any effort made to seek it. The female lacks the iridescence of the male but the white band is broader. The undersides of both sexes are a mix of browns grey orange and white.

Flight Period
The last days of June to Early August

Larval Food plants
Goat Willow (sallow) Salix caprea,
Grey Willow (Salix cinerea)

Habitat
Large broadleaved woods and forests

Status
Resident

Wiltshire Sites
Savernake forest
Bentley Wood
Everleigh Ashes 

Earliest Sightings

23 June 2010 Black Dog Woods
28 June 2009 Bentley Wood
10 June 2008 Bentley Wood
 

Peacock
Inachis io

Wingspan: 63-69mm

Description
This beautiful large butterflyis one of the easiest to identify. The base colour is chestnut red, marked with black with a purple eyespot on each wing.

Flight Period
Like the Small Tortoiseshell & Comma the Peacock overwinters as an adult,often in outhouses and garages.it can be one of the first butterflies to be seen in the year. It can be seen in most moths but is scarce between mid June to mid July.

Larval Food plants
Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Habitat Requirements
Woods, Copses, Hedgerows and mature gardens.

Wiltshire Status
Resident, common /frequent and widespread,

Wiltshire Sites
Occurs in all suitable habitat.

Earliest sightings

11 January   2011 Bradford on Avon
06 January   2010 Melksham
14 February  2009 Harnham garden
28 January    2008 Swindon