Butterfly search and Climate change

The following photos of Butterflies were all taken in the same area between late July and mid August this year. The habitat approximately 5 acres, contains a freshwater river along a natural meadow boarded by a mature deciduous woodland in Co Wexford.
By studying the distribution of Butterflies it can lead us to better understand the effects of climate change. As the planet heats up, Butterflies have moved northward in search of cooler habitats. Recent discovery's of species like the Essex Skipper and the Comma Butterflies from England and Europe support this theory.The little Egret is also a good example for this, as many breeding pairs are found throughout Ireland today.

Silver- washed Fritillary

A large and very fast Butterfly, this was the only picture I managed to get before it soared up into the canopy.

Small Copper

A view of the Small Copper with it's wings outstretched.

Small White

An extremly common Butterfly throughout the summer it's apperance is very similar to the Large White Butterfly.

Underside of the Ringlet

The Ringlet Butterfly is unuasual compared with other butterfly species as it's pattern and eyespots are the same on both sides.

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

The Tortoiseshell is one of our most colourful species it often hibernates in houses for the winter.

Green- veined White

This butterfly is very common throughout Ireland. It can easily be mistaken for the Small and Large White species.

Ringlet Butterfly

The Peacock Butterfly

I think it's the brightly coloured eyespots that makes this species stand out

Speckled Wood

A very common butterfly species along hedgegrows and woodland.

The Common Blue

The outstreched wings of a male Common Blue Butterfly.

The Common Blue Butterfly

I think this is a female common blue.

Common Blue

The male Common Blue butterfly

Meadow brown

Red Admiral

A large migrant species of Butterfly that feeds mainly on the Nettle plant.

Moth

Funnel web

This web is a very interesting structure about five - seven inches long that reaches down to the ground.

Hanging

This species of spider makes a little home for itself in the barley fields of Ireland.