Butterflies in Cornwall

Butterflies are important for several reasons. They are:

Attractive – key elements in the beauty of our countryside
Useful indicators of the quality of our environment
Quick to respond to changes in habitat management
Useful indicators of changing climate patterns.

Land management for butterflies often has added benefits in creating high quality habitats for plants, birds and other insects.

Marsh Fritillary, Breney Common, 7th June 2003.
Photograph by Lee Slaughter

Did you know?

Cornwall is special for butterflies. It has 42 species, made up of 37 residents, 3 regular migrants (amongst others) and 3 introduced butterflies.

Cornish Residents

Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Wood White, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper, Silver-studded Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Silver-washed Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Heath Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Marbled White, Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath.

Regular migrants

Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady and Red Admiral (amongst others).

Introduced/re-introduced

Essex Skipper, White Admiral, Large Blue.

Extinct

Large Tortoiseshell.