Butterfly

We hope you are enjoying our nature trail!

The post you’ve found has a raised picture of a butterfly.  If you place some paper over this and then scribble all over it with a crayon or pencil, you will be able to take home a copy of this picture to keep.

The butterfly in this photograph is a female brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).  The male brimstone has a brighter yellow underside to its wings.  Look closely at the veined wings.  Don’t they look just like leaves?

See if you can answer some questions about butterflies – or you can jump straight to the answers (here).

1. Can you name the four important stages in a butterfly’s life cycle?
2. How many wings do butterflies have?
3. What do caterpillars and butterflies eat?
4. What is special about a butterfly’s feet?
5. How can you tell the difference between moths and butterflies?
6. How many species of butterfly can you find in the UK?

You can find out lots more about butterflies and moths and get involved at the Butterfly Conservation Company’s website.