Marsh Fritillary Eurydryas aurinia

Larvae are immediately available for a limited period. Feed on Honeysuckle (wild is best), Snowberry or the natural foodplant Devil’s Bit Scabious. Pupae are formed in late April into May. The butterflies fly from May into June. Eggs are laid in large clusters on the underside of Devil’s Bit Scabious. The larvae live in a tightly formed web, growing only a little before they hibernate in autumn.  An ideal early spring species and very easy to rear.

Marsh Fritillary pupae 10 for £15, 20 for £22

Late April into May

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni

We have a small number of Brimstone pupae for sale, for just a few days. The pupa is a remarkable and lovely shape. The butterflies hatch easily. Difficult to hibernate, but you can keep them for a while with fresh nectar flowers, and then release to hibernate and hopefully breed in your area. 

  
Sent May/June

 5 Brimstone pupae £14.50

Cleopatra’s Brimstone Gonepteryx cleopatra

We very seldom offer this wonderful species. The orange flush on citron yellow blends to make this one of Europe's most beautiful butterflies. Cleopatra is found in southern Europe. The larvae feed on Buckthorn Rhamnus or Frangula. Larvae are expected in May/June. We recommend sleeving the larvae on growing foodplant. The pupae produce adults later in the summer.

Pupae supplied July

 5 pupae Cleopatra’s Brimstone £15.00

Clouded Yellow Butterfly Colias crocea Larvae

A great favourite with entomologists and extremely easy to rear on potted Clover. The larvae grow fast and will produce butterflies very quickly, particularly in warm conditions. These pupae produce butterflies this year.

 5 Clouded Yellow pupae £10.00  Ready in June

New Clouded Yellow Colias australis  FOUR PUPAE

Almost indistinguishable from the Pale Clouded Yellow hyale. This species was not recognised until 1947 when a Belgian entomologist, M. Berger, found that the larvae not only fed on Horseshoe Vetch Hippocrepis, but are totally different in appearance, having a brilliantly coloured pattern in black, yellow and green. Larvae will produce butterflies again this season. They will also feed on Crown Vetch Coronilla.
 

Four pupae New Clouded Yellow (late June) £10.00

Bath White Pontia daplidice

The larvae feed on Mignonette, a flower of chalk soil, but they also feed on various Mustard family Cruciferae, and can be reared on the heads of Cauliflower.  This is a very rare migrant to Britain, found usually in the Mediterranean region. Baden Powel, a naturalist as well as pioneer, used the dappled pattern on the butterfy’s wings to disguise the plan of Mafeking when dispatched under siege!

Sent June/July

Five pupae of Bath White £10.00

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae

Suddenly this species has become scarce, in just a year or two.

The butterflies can be kept in a cage for a few days, with plenty of flowers for nectar, and then released to help the wild populations.

Pupae available June onwards  

  5 Small Tortoiseshell pupae for £10.50

10 Small Tortoiseshell pupae for £16.00

Peacock Butterfly (Inachis io)

One of Europe's most colourful and splendid butterflies. The pupae hatch within about 2 weeks.   The butterflies can be kept for a few days in a cage with flowers for nectar, then released into the wild.

Available June/July  

  5 Peacock Butterfly pupae £10.50

10 Peacock Butterfly pupae £16.00

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui

In Europe this is a migrant butterfly from N. Africa and it is probably the only butterfly found on every continent of the world. Larval foodplants include Nettle and Thistle but they also take a variety of other herbaceous plants including Mallow and Burdock. Whilst pupae can be slowed down in winter, this is a continuously brooded species that is available at intervals throughout the summer.
 

Available from April to September
 

  5 Painted Lady pupae £14.50

10 Painted Lady pupae £25.00

Ten Comma pupae £20.00

Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia Pupae

The silver spangles on the underside of this Fritillary surpass all other species!  A medium-sized Fritillary that is very easy to rear on Pansy. It is best to have potted food. Pupae emerge this summer.

Pupae sent in July

 5 pupae Queen of Spain £15.00 

Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia

The larvae feed on Narrow-leaved Plantain, and live in a cluster until large. These pupae will produce butterflies in August 

Available May/June

5 pupae Glanville Fritillary £10.00

White Admiral (Southern) Limenitis reducta

This is the first time we have been able to offer eggs and larvae of this magnificent species. The larvae feed on Honeysuckle leaves. The egg, under a lens, is a wonder of three dimensional design!  The wonderfully camouflaged and solitary larva lives at the extreme tip of a leaf, eating gradually down the midrib. If kept warm, these are expected to mature and produce butterflies this year. Later in the year, the caterpillar spins a hibernaculum where it spends the winter, exposed yet virtually impossible to see!

Sent June/July

FIVE pupae Limenitis reducta ONLY £15.00

Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros

One of Europe’s grand butterflies! Now thought to be extinct in Britain. The larvae feed on a variety of fruit trees, Willow, Sallow, Elms, Aspen, Poplars and Birches. Easy to rear, particularly when sleeved on growing foodplant, but protect from excessive rain. Butterflies are produced this year. A very popular species. 
 

Sent in June/July

Five pupae of Large Tortoiseshell £18.95   NOW!

Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa

This is the year to order this rare butterfly either as larvae in May or pupae in June. Most years we are lucky to get Camberwell Beauties at all, and this year successful breeding means that there are plenty, even for those who leave ordering until late. Take advantage of this rare opportunity!

Sent in June 

  5 Camberwell Beauty pupae  £25.00

10 pupae for only £40

Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae

Pupae of this species hardly ever become available. A curious pupa, superbly camouflaged. Pair the butterflies in captivity and get the females to lay on Blackthorn twigs. Store for the winter in a cool place that is not totally lacking in moisture. The eggs are used to a cold, wet winter! The larvae hatch when the Blackthorn (Sloe) buds open.  Supplies are limited - first come first served.

Available May/June - please order early

FIVE Brown Hairstreak pupae £20

Large Copper Butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus  pupae 

This is the large and richly coloured Large Copper which originated from Freisland in Holland and closely resembles the extinct British Large Copper.  Common Dock is an acceptable foodplant, though if you have their natural foodplant Great Water Dock, that is even better. They can be reared in plastic boxes on fresh foodplant that is changed daily, but they do best, and are less trouble if you can pot up young fresh plants and keep the larvae on these, either in cages or covered with a sleeve. The larvae grow fast. Pupae are formed on the stems or sides of the cage. The first sight of the newly emerged butterflies is absolutely breath-taking! July larvae may produce another partial brood if kept warm. Otherwise they go into hibernation.

This species has now become very difficult to obtain. This is an opportunity to breed and produce a stock larvae, some of which will overwinter, and others produce butterflies. 

Sent in July