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| Butterflies in Winter |
As global warming begins to have an effect on our wildlife, it has become noticeable that our butterflies are also responding to increases in average winter temperatures.
During the winter of 2006/7, several species were reported as being active on sunny days even at ambient temperatures of less than 10 degrees celsius.
Species recorded include: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Brimstone and Clouded Yellow.
It is thought that many butterflies which emerge early may die if there is a sudden cold snap or frost, especially if they have been unable to locate a suitable place to go back into hibernation.
Most species of butterfly hibernate as adults during the cold winter months while other species survive the winter as eggs (ova), larvae (caterpillars) or chrysalis (pupae).
Most adult butterflies encountered during the winter months are discovered hibernating in sheds, out-houses and in cool rooms in our houses. Butterflies also hibernate in natural hollows in trees, caves, rock crevices and other spaces which are protected from the worst of the British weather.
During the winter, butterflies need to stay cold in order to hibernate successfully. Warm snaps may wake them up but this could be fatal... become to warm and active and the butterfly risks not finding a suitable sheltered spot when the weather goes bad again. So in general, most butterflies will not become active or wake from hibernation until the first warm days of spring, usually in early March when the first flowers appear, especially catkins which are a vital food source for butterflies so early in the year.
If you do find a butterfly outside in winter and it appears motionless but is in a dry sheltered place, its best to leave it where it is. During the winter of 2009/10, there have been many reports of butterflies being found in the show, often motionless. My advice is to follow the steps below. |
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| Above: A Peacock butterfly basking in winter sunshine... after a heavy snowfall. |
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Found a hibernating butterfly? |
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During the winter months, you may chance upon a hibernating butterfly in your home. If the butterfly is not moving, it is recommended that you leave it and the room alone until early March/April.
However, during warm spells, sunny days or after activating you home's central heating, a hibernating butterfly may become active. Unless it is warm and sunny outside, it is recommended that you do not release the butterfly into the wild
What to do?
The best option is to use an old shoe box which has a narrow slot cut into one side which is about 1cm wide by 5cm tall, also punch some more holes in the box for ventilation. Put the butterfly in the box and place the box in a cool place away from direct sunshine or a sheltered spot outside. Make sure the box cannot get wet and have the slot pointing towards the brightest part of the garden. The butterfly will probably stay in the box for the winter but if it does warm it will find its way out of the box via the slot.
When to release?
If you have placed the box in an outhouse, shed or garage, make sure you check on the butterfly during early February and March. If there are any signs of activity or if the butterfly has moved during this time, place the box outside in a sheltered spot.
Releasing the butterfly into the cold weather would almost certainly kill it. If it is unable to find another suitable place to hibernate before it gets dark it will die.
Surviving the winter
Be prepared for your butterfly not to survive the winter. Many individuals will die in the wild either through cold, starvation (if they did not feed up enough to store energy during the autumn) or die of fungal infections, especially if they have hibernated in a location where its constantly damp. Also birds and other predators will happily eat a hibernating butterfly if they can find them. |
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What is Hibernation? |
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Hibernation usually takes place during the coldest months of the year. Creatures such as butterflies hibernate because of a lack of food and warmth. By staying dormant, they use very little energy.
Some species of butterfly hibernate as adult butterflies, including the Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral, while other species survive the winter as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalis. |
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Peacock Hibernation |
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A Peacock found hibernating in the roof of a bird watching hide, despite the cob webs, it has found a safe place to see out the winter.
Sheds, outhouses, farmyard buildings and structures such as hides on nature reserves make ideal places for butterflies to hibernate. |
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