Information on Butterflies

Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus. Sarah Beynon ©

Butterflies in Pembrokeshire

A total of 46 species of butterfly have been recorded in the County with records going back as far as 1828 when an American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) was seen near Withybush in Haverfordwest.

Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus) thrive on the military range at Castlemartin and there is evidence that they are expanding their range along the coast.

Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) eggs have been counted every winter for some time. Field work is now expanding to include a larger part of the County and there is evidence that there are good populations to match those found in recent fieldwork in Carmarthenshire.

Marsh Fritillaries (Euphydryas aurinia) are also censused each year with quite large fluctuations in population sizes being found.

Marsh Fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia. David Harries 2005 ©

Small Blue (Cupido minimus) is yet another species under study in Pembrokeshire and results of fieldwork in 2005 and 2006 show them to have been poor years for the species with very low numbers being recorded.

For further information on all butterflies in Pembrokeshire see the Pembrokeshire Lepidoptera web site