PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx rhamni subspecies G. r. gravesi) male at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is of the family Pieridae which is in genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Europe, Asia and parts of northern Africa. The presence of its larval host plants, Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica) influences its geographic range and distribution. 

The Irish Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni subspecies G. r. gravesi) is endemic to Ireland. This hardy species can live for up to a year. There are two flight seasons, March to mid June and July to mid September. It then goes into hibernation and emerges in early spring the following year.
 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

Reference and very highly recommended reading:

The Irish Butterfly Book available directly from the author Jesmond M. Harding ISBN 978-0-9560546-1-6 

LARGE WHITE BUTTERFLY or LARGE CABBAGE WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris brassicae) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Large White Butterfly (Pieris brassicae) or Large Cabbage White Butterfly is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Pieris. It occurs very commonly through out Eurasia and North Africa as well as an introduced species in South Africa. Although larger, it can be confused with the Small White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) which has a much reduced black edge to the upper forewing.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Pararge. This is a very common species and is found throughout the Palearctic region. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats including urban gardens with a preference for shaded areas. Overwintering either as a lava or a pupa enables an extended flight season from April to October.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) nectaring on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) at Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Green-veined White Butterfly (Pieris napi) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Pieris. It commonly occurs in Eurasia as well as North America. This species is on the wing from March to October, over several generations, but in Ireland the normal flight season extends from mid April to mid September. It hibernates during the winter as a chrysalis.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

ORANGE TIP BUTTERFLY (Anthocharis cardamines) a male nectaring on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Orange-tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Anthocharis. This common and widespread species is on the wing from early May to late June. The larval food plant is Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) which is also known as Lady's Smock. It overwinters as a chrysalis.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Green-veined White Butterfly (Pieris napi) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Pieris. It commonly occurs in Eurasia as well as North America. This species is on the wing from March to October, over several generations, but in Ireland the normal flight season extends from mid April to mid September. It hibernates during the winter as a chrysalis.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) caterpillars or larvae feeding Nettles at Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds