The month of May was colder than any other I remember. With all the rain, it was not the best for butterflies. I saw the odd Peacock and a couple of Large whites - a lot less than I would have expected to see.
The Orange tips were the ones I counted the most in the park. Every other Cuckooflower or Garlic mustard plant also had one of their eggs laid on them. Some even with two eggs, which is considered unusual. Caterpillars of this species are cannibalistic, so the butterfly mamas are not likely to lay an egg where there is another one.
One theory is that the Orange tip egg is bright orange to be easily noticed to deter others from laying eggs nearby. However, later research suggests that another deterrent may be a water-soluble pheromone that the female releases whilst egg-laying.
I wonder if the number of sightings of more than one egg, on a single plant, had risen due to May's unusually high rainfall?
The adult Orange tips seen lately were all busy when passing by. I never got a chance for a good photo this season. The males can fly for long periods, really only stopping for nectar or when they have found a female. Out of all the Orange tips, I saw far more males than females, reflecting their out and about nature. The males have the bright orange colouring to warn predators that they are a toxic choice. They are far more likely than the females to predated due to the distance they travel. I saw a newly paired male and female sussing each other in a pheromone-fuelled dance and the 'territorial twist' of two males.
The very last day of May was the best; it was summer-like! I saw the most variety of butterflies on the transect than on any of the walks.
I was delighted to see a Comma - my 1st of the year! I was excited to get a photo of its ragged wings and the beautiful white 'comma' on its underwing that gives this butterfly its name. I have to admit this mark looks more like a circle drawn with Tippex, more than any punctuation mark.
In other orange tip news, the caterpillars we raised last year finally emerged just before the arrival of May. Almost a whole year after pupation, we had the joy and privilege of letting a male and female free. Fred & Shaggy had become Fred & Daphne! I hope they had a wonderful few weeks on the wing.
Fred came first, and then Daphne a few days after. The females need to mate a couple of days after emerging, so she is the later of the species to emerge. This later emergence ensures she finds a mate and the suitable food plants for her caterpillars have had time to grow!
Some will think of them as one of the busiest butterflies, living fast and dying young. However, after slothing it for 11 months as a pupa, disguised as a thorn, maybe they are not as hectic as they seem! I think they’ve got the right idea.
If you would like to read more about the Orange tips we raised,
you can find the posts below.
Hey Emma great blog and pics as always loved them , the comma is something to see isn’t it can’t say I have ever seen a butterfly like it amazing ,the boys are sure getting a brilliant nature education and Jared really loves it and going by the way Levi was showing his granda the plants etc. in the park he is going to love it too well done again Emma for a great blog again love to read all about you and the boys adventure in Castlemilk park just shows we all don’t really explore our close surroundings enough thank you for showing us what we have around us .