British Butterflies

There are about 60 different butterflies found in Britain, but many of them are uncommon, and some of those are difficult to tell apart. Luckily, the most common are also the most easy to recognise. This section has information about the dozen or so butterflies you are most likely to see in your garden or nearby countryside. To find out more about butterflies in your area, you can contact your local Wildlife Trust. Other sources of information include:

  • A Complete Guide to British Butterflies by Margaret Brooks and Charles Knight ~ ISBN 978-0224022255
  • A Field Guide to the Wildlife of the British Isles by Alice Tomsett ~ ISBN 1-40544-393-6 - An introduction to British wildlife (except plants!)
  • Butterfly Conservation
  • UK Butterflies

Click on the small picture to go to the page about that species

Speckled Wood Butterfly
Speckled Wood
 
Hedge Brown Butterfly
Hedge Brown
 
Ringlet Butterfly
Ringlet
 
Common Blue Butterfly
Common Blue
 
Common Blue Butterfly Underside
Common Blue
(Underside)
Painted Lady Butterfly
Painted Lady
 
Red Admiral Butterfly
Red Admiral
 
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell
 
Peacock Butterfly
Peacock
 
Comma Butterfly
Comma
 
Large White Butterfly Underside
Large White
(Underside)
Green-veined White Butterfly Underside
Green-veined White
(Underside)
Orange Tip Butterfly Underside>
Orange Tip
(Underside)
Brimstone Butterfly Male Underside
Brimstone (male)
(Underside)
Brimstone Butterfly Underside Female
Brimstone (female)
(Underside)

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