Day-active moths
The PC web version contains extensive information about places and butterflies
The Buttercup.
Front wing length: 13-15 mm. The brown spots on the yellow front and rear wings are characteristic. The intensity of the yellow and dark markings are somewhat variable.
The flight time is from the end of April to the beginning of July in one generation; specimens of a rare partial second generation can fly until the beginning of August. The butterflies are mainly active during the day in sunny weather.
The Gamma Owl.
Front wing length: 13-21 mm. Like the related species, this owl holds its wings up in a roof-like manner when at rest. On the top of the thorax there is a prominent crest and further back two smaller crests are visible. The front wing is marbled brown and gray. On the outside of the outer transverse line is a broad, light-colored smudge that tapers towards the inner edge. Its main feature is the distinctive silver colored unbroken Y-shaped patch in the center of the front wing. Both the size of the butterfly and the color of the forewings can vary greatly.
Flying time from April to October in several generations; sometimes also a sighting in the winter months. The butterflies fly both during the day and at night. During the day and at dusk they regularly visit flowers, sometimes sitting violently on a leaf with their wings vibrating.
The Striped Goldspanner.
Fore wing length: 13-16 mm. Slightly variable in color, but always recognizable by the unique combination of color and drawing. In most specimens, both the front and rear wings have a golden yellow ground color. The numerous fine brownish wavy transverse lines give this tensioner a striped appearance. On the front wing, the central transverse lines are strikingly distinguishable by their bright white color; the outermost of which continues over the rear wing. The transverse line in the root field and the wavy line are often also white, but less clearly distinguishable.
Flight time from mid-May to the end of August in one, possibly two generations. The butterflies are easy to chase during the day. Compared to the numbers seen flying around and visiting flower at dusk, they get little light.
The Trefoil.
Fore wing length: 11-15 mm. Characteristic is the network of dark transverse lines and wing veins on the top and bottom of the wings. The two outer lines often merge in the middle. There are specimens whose wings, except for the checkered edges, are mostly dark brown. In addition, there are also butterflies whose wings are creamy yellow, without transverse bands. Sometimes specimens with a pure white background are also observed.
Flight time from mid-April to early September in two generations. The butterflies are active during the day and are often hunted from low vegetation.
The Mint Butterfly.
With a wingspan of 10 to 15 millimeters, it is a very small butterfly.
The color of the forewings varies from a pronounced purple to a warm reddish brown. The yellow markings on the forewings are often limited to a spot.
A yellow band runs across the dark rear wings, narrowing to the inner edge. The very similar purple moth has a round yellow dot next to that band.
The mint butterfly sometimes keeps its wings open, but can hide the hind wings completely under the forewings when resting.
The St. James butterfly.
Front wing length: 17-23 mm. A striking appearance due to the black front wing with two red dots along the back edge and a red stripe along both the front edge and the inner edge. The rear wing is red with black edges.
Flying time in one generation from early April to mid-August. The period in which the butterflies hatch is quite long, so that butterflies and caterpillars can occur simultaneously. The butterflies fly during the day and are easy to disturb. They come on at night.
The St. John's butterfly.
Front wing length: 15-19 mm. A drop of blood with six red spots on the forewing: the red spot at the base of the wing is separated by a vein and counts as two. There is also an abnormal shape with yellow spots and a yellow rear wing.
Flying time in one generation from the end of May to the end of August. The butterflies visit flowers of, among other things, thistles. The males make patrol flights in search of unfertilized females.
The Spanish flag.
Front wing length: 28-33 mm. Easy to recognize by the green-black front wing with cream-colored stripes and the red, orange or yellow rear wing with black spots. There is little variation in the drawing.
Flight time from the beginning of July to the end of August in one generation. On warm days the butterflies are active and they visit flowers of butterfly bush, royal herb and thistles, among others. They also fly at night and come on light.
The Willow Wasp Butterfly.
Fore wing length: 9-11 mm. Characteristic of this species is the combination of the red band on the abdomen and the relatively wide red field in the front wing tip. The transverse band on the forewings is narrow and usually has a dark reddish brown, sometimes lighter red color. The tail plume is black, fresh specimens show striking white hairs on the sides. The legs are black with three white straps. The white at the top of the antennae is not always visible.
Flight time in one generation from mid-May to early August. Early in the morning the butterflies can be found resting on leaves or tree trunks.
