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Butterflies

County Recorder: James Corton


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Suffolk’s Priority Butterfly Species

Key
UK BAP Priority Species – Listed as a conservation priority under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Suffolk Character Species – A species closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Suffolk LNRS Key Species – Identified as a priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Dingy Skipper
Dingy Skipper
grayling
Grayling
silver-studded blue
Silver-studded Blue
small heath butterfly
Small Heath
wall brown butterfly
Wall
white admiral butterfly
White Admiral
white letter hairstreak butterfly
White-letter Hairstreak


A countywide survey was run by SBIS from 1982 to 1986, records (estimated 25,000) are sorted by species at SBIS but are not computerised. DMAP map files based on this survey data have been prepared for each species. New records and additional information since 1986 are added to these files and regular reports appear in the SNS Newsletter 'White Admiral'. From 1995 a new Countywide survey has been undertaken as part of a nationwide survey coordinated by Butterfly Conservation. This has generated 78,000 new records. These are mapped in the Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies but the full records still require computerisation for further analysis. There are currently over 400,000 records on the SBIS database.

The UK Butterflies site provides excellent photographs, tips on identification and national distribution maps. Recording in Suffolk is coordinated through the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. A series of recent distribution maps covering the period 2011-2015 can be viewed here. A basic recording form can be downloaded here. The archived issues of their newsletter, the Suffolk Argus can be found in our library.

 

Major Publications

  • Many notes in TSNS and the Suffolk Argus
  • The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies. R.G. Stewart (2001) SNS
  • Provisional Atlases of Suffolk Butterflies – incorporating records from 1995–8. R.G. Stewart (1998) SBRC
  • Plebejus argus (Silver-studded Blue) colony population estimates and changes in status in Suffolk 1985–1986. O.N. Ravenscroft (1987) SWT
  • The Butterflies of Suffolk – An Atlas and History. H. Mendel & S.H. Piotrowski (1986) SNS

 

Papers from Suffolk Natural History

  • 2023 Butterfly Report. J. Corton (2024) vol. 60, p. 121
  • 2022 Butterfly Report. J. Corton (2024) vol. 60, p. 77
  • Notes & Observations: A 2023 Butterfly Survey of part of the RSPB Reserve at North Warren (2023) vol. 59, p. 189
  • 2021 Suffolk Butterfly Report. J. Corton (2022) vol. 58, p. 87
  • A Butterfly survey of the Old Cemetery, Ipswich TM1745, 24 April–6 October 2022 (2022) vol. 58, p. 105
  • 2020 Suffolk Butterfly Report. W. Stone (2021) vol. 57, p. 47
  • A 2021 Butterfly Survey of Land Adjacent to Valley Road, Ipswich TM158458. R. Stewart (2021) vol. 57, p. 82
  • 2019 Suffolk Butterfly Report. W. Stone (2020) vol. 56, p. 127
  • 2018 Suffolk Butterfly Report. W. Stone (2019) vol. 55, p. 53
  • Butterflies in Christchurch Park 2019. R. Stewart (2019) vol. 55, p. 78
  • 2018 Butterfly Survey of The Dales Local Nature Reserve TM1546. R.G. Stewart (2018) vol. 54, p. 73
  • 2017 Suffolk Butterfly Report. W. Stone (2018) vol. 54, p. 49
  • 2016 Suffolk Butterfly Report. W. Stone (2017) vol. 53, p. 72
  • Butterflies at Sutton Hoo. R. Stewart (2017) vol. 53, p.96 
  • 2015 Suffolk Butterfly Report. W. Stone (2016) vol. 52, p. 15
  • Butterflies on Rushmere Common – a 2016 survey. R.G. Stewart (2016) vol. 52, p. 
  • 2014 Butterfly Report. W. Stone & R. Parker (2015) vol. 51, p. 57
  • 2013 Butterfly Report. W. Stone & R. Parker (2014) vol. 50, p. 27
  • Small Copper aberration in Suffolk: 2003–2013. R. Stewart (2014) vol. 50, p.34 
  • 2012 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2013) vol. 49, p. 34
  • An update on the population of Plebejus argus Linnaeus over the six years since its translocation to Blaxhall Common, Suffolk. R. Parker (2013) vol. 49, p. 10
  • Butterfly recording between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness 2012. R.G. Stewart (2013) vol. 49, p. 51
  • Small Copper aberration: 2012 records. R.G. Stewart (2013) vol. 49, p. 52
  • 2011 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2012) vol. 48, p. 127
  • Butterflies visiting nectar sources in an Ipswich garden. R.G. Stewart (2012) vol. 48, p. 145
  • Butterfly recording in the Fynn Valley: 2007–2009. R.G. Stewart (2011) vol. 48, p. 74
  • 2010 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2011) vol. 47, p. 80
  • 2009 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2010) vol. 46, p. 48
  • 2008 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2009) vol. 45, p. 47
  • Changes in the number of butterflies visiting a garden in north-east Suffolk, 1992–2007. P.J. Dare (2008) vol. 44, p. 21
  • 2007 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2008) vol. 44, p. 57
  • Butterfly recording in the Fynn Valley. R.G. Stewart (2007) vol. 43, p. 63
  • 2006 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2007) vol. 43, p. 95
  • Butterfly futures. R. Parker (2006) vol. 42, p. 24
  • 2005 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2006) vol. 42, p. 77
  • Recording butterflies in an Ipswich garden, 1996–2005. R.G. Stewart (2006) vol. 42, p. 88
  • 2004 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2005) vol. 41, p. 111
  • 2003 Butterfly Report. R. Parker (2004) vol. 40, p. 101
  • Suffolk grassland as a butterfly habitat. R. Parker (2003) vol. 39, p. 4
  • The Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria L. in Suffolk 2000–2002. R.G. Stewart (2003) vol. 39, p. 23
  • Butterfly Report for 2002. R.G. Stewart (2003) vol. 39, p. 26
  • Butterfly Report for 2001. R.G. Stewart (2002) vol. 38, p. 103
  • The decline and extinction of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Boloria euphrosyne L. in Suffolk. H. Mendel (1999) vol. 35, p. 85
  • Observations on the Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio machaon L. in Suffolk 1998. R.G. Stewart (1999) vol. 35, p. 98
  • Overwintering of the Camberwell Beauty in Suffolk. R.G. Stewart (1998) vol. 34, p. 87
  • The Queen of Spain Fritillary Argynnis lathonia L. 1758 at Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Suffolk. C. Anderson & R. Wilson (1997) vol. 33, p. 44
  • Notes on the Camberwell Beauty at Minsmere, 19th August 1996. R.G. Stewart (1997) vol. 33, p. 47
  • Records of butterflies and moths at Brandon by Yorkshire naturalist J.W. Dunning (1833–1897). H. Mendel & R.E. Clarke (1997) vol. 33, p. 54
  • 1995 – A record year for rare butterflies in Suffolk. R.G. Stewart (1996) vol. 32, p. 6
  • The Suffolk garden butterfly survey, 1994. R.G. Stewart (1995) vol. 31, p. 6
  • Observations of the Small Copper butterfly at Tangham, Autumn 1994. R.G. Stewart (1995) vol. 31, p. 16
  • Recording butterflies in an Ipswich garden, 1980–1993. R.G. Stewart (1994) vol. 30, p. 15
  • Observations of the Holly Blue butterfly. E. Parsons (1992) vol. 28, p. 17
  • Observations on the life-history of the Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus L. H. Mendel & E. Parsons (1987) vol. 23, p. 2
  • Suffolk butterflies, 1984. H. Mendel & S.H. Piotrowski (1985) vol. 21, p. 6
  • The Suffolk butterfly survey 1983. H. Mendel & S.H. Piotrowski (1984) vol. 20, p. 30
  • The territories of male Orange-Tip Butterflies near Southwold. H.D. Collings (1974) vol. 16, p. 336
  • Rearing the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in Suffolk. S. Beaufoy (1974) vol. 16, p. 209
  • Suffolk butterflies from 1945. S. Beaufoy (1970) vol. 15, p. 136
  • Butterflies in Suffolk. S. Beaufoy (1965) vol. 15, p. 42
  • The butterflies of Lopham and Redgrave Fens. S. Beaufoy (1969) vol. 14, p. 219
  • The fighting caterpillars of the Orange-Tip Butterfly. W.S. George (1969) vol. 14, p. 212
  • Movement of White Butterflies. S. Beaufoy (1965) vol. 13, p. 38
  • Movement of White Butterflies. S. Beaufoy (1962) vol. 12, p. 193
  • Scarcity of Meadow Browns. S. Beaufoy (1961) vol. 12, p. 56
  • Lepidoptera rearing notes, 1958–59. S. Beaufoy (1960) vol. 11, p. 249
  • The Meadow Brown sex ratios. S. Beaufoy (1960) vol. 11, p. 251
  • Some early Lepidoptera. S. Beaufoy (1957) vol. 10, p. 216
  • Rearing Lepidoptera. S. Beaufoy (1957) vol. 10, p. 217
  • Rearing the Large Blue Butterfly. S. Beaufoy (1956) vol. 10, p. 52
  • Butterflies observed in Suffolk in 1955. W.S. George (1956) vol. 9, p. 319
  • Notes on Rearing Lepidoptera. S. Beaufoy (1956) vol. 9, p. 244
  • Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. S. Beaufoy (1954) vol. 9, p. 11
  • Lulworth Skipper. S. Beaufoy (1954) vol. 9, p. 11
  • Notes on rearing Lepidoptera, 1954. S. Beaufoy (1954) vol. 9, p. 10
  • The Chalkhill Blue. S. Beaufoy (1954) vol. 9, p. 9
  • Reprint of C. Morley's ‘Butterflies becoming extinct,’ 1920. C. Morley (1953) vol. 8, p. 123
  • Notes on C. Morley's ‘Butterflies becoming extinct…’. S. Beaufoy (1953) vol. 8, p. 27
  • Purple Emperor. S. Beaufoy (1953) vol. 8, p. 131
  • Notes on rearing Lepidoptera, 1953. S. Beaufoy (1953) vol. 8, p. 129
  • The Holly Blue. E.T. Goldsmith (1952) vol. 8, p. 81
  • Notes on rearing Lepidoptera, 1952. S. Beaufoy (1952) vol. 8, p. 39
  • Further Notes on rearing Lepidoptera, 1952. S. Beaufoy (1952) vol. 8, p. 79
  • A new parasite of the Swallow-tailed Butterfly. C. Morley (1950) vol. 7, p. 47
  • Suffolk Swallow-tails in 1945. C. Morley (1945) vol. 5, p. 180
  • Residents or Migrants? E.P. Wiltshire (1944) vol. 5, p. 134
  • Argynnis dia, a butterfly new to Suffolk. H. Vinter (1942) vol. 5, p. 1
  • Lepidoptera of Suffolk. C. Morley (1940) vol. 4, p. 151
  • The Lepidoptera of Suffolk. C. Morley (1938) vol. 4, p. 31
  • Two days among the butterflies of Suffolk. D.T. Button (1936) vol. 3, p. 164
  • On the local Niobe butterfly. T.N. Waller (1935) vol. 3, p. 6
  • An Apollo butterfly on the Suffolk coast. C.H.S. Vintner (1929) vol. 1, p. 13
  • The Lepidoptera of Suffolk. A.P. Waller (1929) vol. 1, p. 30

 

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