Find out what butterflies can be seen where in Norfolk. Most of these butterflies are widespread, but others are restricted to certain habitats and locations.
Skippers
- Dingy Skipper - Erynnis tages
- Grizzled Skipper - Pyrgus malvae
- Large Skipper - Ochlodes sylvanus
- Small Skipper - Thymelicus sylvestris
- Essex Skipper - Thymelicus lineola
Where to see the Dingy and Grizzled Skippers:
- Stoke Ferry Cut-Off Channel
- Foulden Common
Swallowtails
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Swallowtail - Papilio machaon - Local information
The adults are on the wing from mid May to the end of June, and in a good year a second brood from the end of August to mid September.
The optimum time, however, is the middle two weeks of June.
Where to see Swallowtails:
- How Hill Environmental Centre
- Catfleld Fen - Butterfly Conservation Reserve
- Hickling Broad - Norfolk Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve
- Martham Broad - Norfolk Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve
- Ted Ellis Nature Reserve, Wheatfen, Surlingham
- Strumpshaw Fen - RSPB Reserve
Whites and Yellows
- Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhamni
- Large White - Pieris brassicae
- Small White - Pieris rapae
- Green-veined White - Pieris napi
- Orange Tip - Anthocharis cardamines
- Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus C
Coppers
- Small Cooper - Lycaena phlaeas
Blues
- Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus
- Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus
- Chalk Hill Blue - Polyommatus coridon
- Silver-studded Blue - Plebejus argus
- Brown Argus - Aricia agestis
Where to see the Silver-studded Blue:
Hairstreak
- Green Hairstreak - Callophrys rubi
- Purple Hairstreak - Favonius quercus
- White-letter Hairsteak - Satyrium w-album
Where to see the White-letter Hairstreak:
Nymphalids
- White Admiral- Limenitis camilla
- Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta
- Small Tortoiseshell- Aglais urticae
- Peacock- Aglais io
- Painted Lady- Vanessa cardui
- Comma- Polygonia c-album
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Purple Emperor - Apatura iris
Where to see the White Admiral:
Where to see Purple Emperor:
- Sheringham Park
- Beeston Common
- Holt Country Park
- Foxley Wood
Fritillaries
- Dark Green Fritillary- Argynnis aglaja
- Silver-washed Fritillary- Argynnis paphia
Where to see the Dark Green Fritillary:
Where to see Silver-washed Fritillary
Browns
- Speckled Wood- Pararge aegeria
- Wall Brown - Lasiommata megera
- Grayling - Hipparchia semele
- Gatekeeper - Pyronia tithonus
- Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina
- Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus
- Small Heath - Coenonympha pamphilus
Where to see Grayling:
Incidentals and Migrants
- Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus
- Marbled White - Melanargia galathea
- Scarce or Yellow-Legged Tortoiseshell
- Purple Emperor - Apatura iris