Underwings, August 2014

Peacock, Aglais io.  Nymphalidae.   High Elms Country Park, 4 August 2014.

Butterflies that overwinter as adults have underwings that disguise or camouflage them.  They are usually very different from the top sufraces, which are often flamboyant.  This Peacock is probably our most colourful butterfly, but look at this black underwing, with subtle jagged cross-lines.

Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta.  Nymphalidae.   High Elms Country Park, 4 August 2014.

This Red Admiral is from the same family, the Nymphalidae.  Here, only the hind wing is disguised, with wonderful marbling like the inside of an old book cover.  If you should only be able to see the rear underwings, that whitish blotch at the top distinguishes this species.  Actually, this one does not usually overwinter in this country at all.  Most of those we see have come across from Europe.

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni.  Female.  Pieridae.   High Elms Country Park, 4 August 2014.

 The Brimstone, whose males are bright yellow and whose females are very pale, has a different sort of disguise.  When its wings are closed it looks remarkably like a leaf. 

Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia.  Nymphalidae.   High Elms Country Park, 4 August 2014.

Butterflies that overwinter as caterpillars do not have such a need for disguise, but not all of them are showy beneath.  This Silver-washed Fritillary, a large and pretty butterfly, is relatively subdued.

Common Blue butterfly, Polyommatus icarus.  Lycaenidae.   High Elms Country Park, 9 August 2014.

This is a favourite.  The Common Blue is a delightful sight flitting around a meadow.  The upper surfaces are either blue or brownish with orange spots; the females are quite variable in this respect, but the males are always blue.  The pretty underwings are often on show, but you need to get up close to fully appreciate them.