Answers to Correspondents

“G. B. Mc Keown” (Draperstown).–The larger butterfly is the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), while the smaller brown one is the common Speckled Wood or Wood Argus (Pararge egeria). The former has been unusually plentiful this year. Most butterflies delight in bright sunlight, but the Speckled Wood is an exception frequenting shady lanes and continuing its solitary flight even on dull days. By the “dark-veined white” butterfly I expect you refer to the green-veined white (Pieris napi); while the early summer species mentioned will be the Orange Tip (Euchloe cardamines).