Family: Lycaenidae (Blue)

Habitat: Farmland, gardens and parks, grassland, heathland, meadows and orchards.

Size: Length 17 mm (0.7 in). Wingspan 29-36 mm (1.1-1.4 in).

Food: Common bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and other legumes.

Flight: Early April to late October.

Females are dark brown with bright orange spots near the wing tips. Both male and female have black and white borders.

Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed)

Habitat: Woodland.

Size: Length 30 mm (1.2 in)

Food: Bramble blossom, honeydew and honeysuckle (Lonicera).

Flight: Early June to late August.

Underside of wings are orange brown. Glides elegantly and basks in dappled shade.

Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed)

Habitat: Woodland, hedgerows and scrub.

Size: Length 35 mm (1.4 in).

Food: Violets (Viola).

Flight: Early June to late September.

Rapid gliding twisted flight.

Named after the beautiful streaks of silver on the underside of the wings.

Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed)

Habitat: Grasslands, woodland and arable field margins.

Size: Length 22-28 mm (0.9-1.1 in).

Food: Grasses (larva). Thistles, Knapweeds, Clovers, Marjoram, Thyme and Yarrow (adult).

Flight: Early June to late August.

Winter is passed as a small lime-green caterpillar.

Family: Lycaenidae (Blue)

Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, woodland and lowland calcareous grassland.

Size: 14 mm (0.6 in).

Food: CommonRock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Dove's-foot Cranesbill(Geranium molle) and Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium).

Flight: Early May to late September.

Both male and female are brown in colour.

Family: Hesperiidae (skipper)

Habitat: Grasslands, heathlands, sand dunes, lowland calcareous grassland and woodland clearings and edges.

Size: Length 12 mm (0.5 in).

Food: Mallows (Malvaceae).

Flight: Early March to late July. March till July.

The smallest of the skippers. Although this is a very energetic butterfly, it can sometimes be found basking on bare ground.

Family: Lycaenidae (Blue)

Habitat: Grassland, heathland, woodland and lowland calcareous grassland.

Size: Length 14 mm (0.6 in).

Food: Sorrels and docks.

Flight: Early February to late November. In two or three broods.

A very active little butterfly that moves from plant to plant feeding and occasionally basking in the sunlight. Males are very territorial.

Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed)

Habitat: Gardens and parks, meadows, coastal and sea cliffs.

Size: Length 30 mm (1.2 in.) Wingspan ♀ 70-78 mm (2.8-3.1 In.). ♂ 64-72 mm (2.5-2.8 In.)

Food: Stinging nettle and ivy.

Flight: Early May to late October.

Both a resident and a migrant butterfly.

Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed)

Habitat: Grasslands, meadows, woodland, arable field margins and hedgerows.

Size: Length 25 mm (1 in).

Food: Grasses (larva). Thistles, Blackberries, Daisies, Cow Parsip, etc (adult).

Flight: Early May to late September.

Males are less colourful and more active and range furtherthan the females. Winter passed as a small bright green caterpillar.

Family: Lycaenidae (Blue)

Habitat: Lowland calcareous grassland.

Size: Length 17 mm (0.7 in).

Food: Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa).

Flight: Early May to late September.

Females are chocolate brown. Both male and female have black and white borders.