Nymphalidae

Comma, Polygonia c-album

(upperside above, and underside, below). Quite common in Gateshead, prefering woodland clearings and gardens. The first are usually seen in March, peaking in April and into May and these have overwintered as adults. Another batch appear in August and September and these are the ones that will overwinter. The wing shape is used as camouflage to protect them from predators.

photo: Paul Davidson

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Satyridae

Meadow Brown Maniola hurtina

Underside

Female

Male

photos : George Simpson

Wall Brown - Lasiommata megera

A widespread species found in a variety of habitats. There are a number of generations a year and they therefore can be seen in any of the warm months. A species that is getting commoner in Gateshead.

Grayling - Hipparchia semele

Lycaenidae

Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

photo: Paul Davidson

A common species wherever its food plant, Bird's-foot Trefoil occurs. The male pictured above has blue topsides where as the female has a variable amount of brown on the topside.

Female

photo: Vicky Catley

G

Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus

photo: Brian Pollinger

A Rare species but getting commoner. 2006 was a very good year for them

G

Green hairstreak - Callophrys rubi

photo: Paul Davidson (taken at Derwent Reservoir)

This species was thought to be extinct in Gateshead until 2 were rediscovered on the 16th May 2004 in the west of the borough, close to where they were last recorded many years ago. Could not be refound despite searching.

G

White-Letter hairstreak - Satyrium w-album

photo: Brian Pollinger

A dark little butterfly that spends the majority of its life in the tree tops, feeding on honeydue making it best observed through binoculars. The uppersides are a dark brown with a small orange spot in the bottom corner of the hindwing. The male has a small pale spot on the forwings made up of scent scales. The undersides are a lighter brown with a thin white line, the 'hairstreak' which gives this group of butterflies their name. On the hindwing this streak zigzags to form a letter 'W' (or 'M') from which this species gets its name. The outer edge of the hindwing has an orange border and there are two short tails on the hindwings. They never open their wings at rest. Widely but patchily distributed across most of England it is absent from Scotland, Ireland, western Wales and most of Cornwall. The spread of Dutch Elm Disease in the 70s had a big impact on the British population but it has since recovered well and is still increasing its range. In Gateshead there are populations at Clara Vale and along the Derwent Walk.

[Photo:Paul Davidson]