The Butterflies
And now, having established your wildlife-friendly garden, you can await the arrival of the butterflies. Of the 59 species of British butterflies 22 are recorded as being residents of London. They are:
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Small Skipper Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Essex Skipper Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Large Skipper Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Clouded Yellow Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Brimstone Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Large White Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Small White Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Green-veined White Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Orange Tip Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Small Copper Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Common Blue Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Holly Blue Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Red Admiral Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Painted Lady Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Small Tortoiseshell Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Peacock Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Comma Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Gatekeeper Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Speckled Wood Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Meadow Brown Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Small Heath Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
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Wall Brown Favoured nectar plants: Larval food plants: |
The Butterfly Life Cycle
The Life Cycle of the Swallowtail
Copies of the Schools Education Pack can be obtained from:
London Butterfly Flight Periods
Due to changes in local weather patterns, especially over the last four years, and the problems associated with global warming, these butterfly flight times are best used as a guide only. However, they do show that our butterflies are active at different times of the year. The main activity period being the height of summer when most of the nectar plants are available.
