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Beautiful Butterflies of Bogs and Fens

The vast watery bogs of Ireland are not the images conjured up when most of us think of the habitats of butterflies. We are perhaps more used to picturing sheltered sun-spots in woodland, or herb-rich grasslands full of colour. In Ireland we have only 31 species of butterflies. Of these an impressive 23 species are commonly found in wetland habitats. By wetlands I mean a broad definition encompassing bogs, fens wet meadows and the margins of these habitats. In fact bogs and wetlands are the natural habitats of two out of six butterfly species that are extremely rare in Ireland.

Many of our most beautiful butterflies show very distinct preferences for wetlands primarily because their larval food plants are found there in abundance. These species include the spring time Orange Tip, with the male sporting stunning deep orange wing tips, the early summer Marsh Fritillary with its unforgettable stained glass window patterning and the butterfly of high summer, the Dark Green Fritillary, a powerful and energetic insect with flowing orange upper surfaces and undersides which are suffused with emerald green and spangled with silver spots.

Only one species, the attractive and interesting Large Heath depends entirely on healthy undamaged bogs. Not surprisingly, this butterfly is in decline because of the destruction of bogs. It is no longer found in the Bog of Allen. Intact bogs like Clara, Co. Offaly contain vast populations. Each step a walker takes in July flushes out a tawny coloured Large Heath which flutters up in a desultory manner, is seemingly tossed about haphazardly on the breeze for a few years until it promptly collapses into a tussock - only to mysteriously reappear when you disturb its new refuge.

To highlight how impressive wetlands are in providing a refuge for a large variety of species, the following were recorded on a warm day in late may in a cutover bog meadow in Lullymore, Co. Kildare, not far from Peatland World: Dingy Skipper, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Wood White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Marsh Fritillary, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Wall.

Of these species, The Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Wood White and Marsh Fritillary are quite local species found only in particular areas.

Top: The Large Heath Butterfly (Coeno-nympha tullia) occurs in raised and blanket bogs. The spots on the wings may be part of this butterfly's defence against bird predation, but it mainly relies on camouflage. The Large Heath is less common as a result of peatland losses in Ireland. It is found in IPCC's reserve at Clochar na gCon, Co. Galway. Photo: M. Scherrenburg   Bottom: The Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) is abundant on bogs in August. Photo: J. Harding

The following month in the same location saw the list augmented by the Dark Green Fritillary (another range-limited species), Clouded Yellow, the Ringlet and Meadow Brown. August saw the appearance of huge populations of Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals and Painted Ladies.

The Lullymore site and nearby Ballinafagh Fen, both wetlands in Co. Kildare are, in terms of the number of species found, the best butterfly sites in Leinster (Millennium Butterfly Survey by the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club).

Even in the relatively bleak, windswept wetlands of the uplands, butterflies are seen on still days. The Sally Gap, Co. Wicklow will reward one with sights of the extravagantly livened Peacock with its rich rusts, yellow, violet and indigo hues. It will be joined by other members of the same family (the Vanessid groups of butterflies) such as the Small Tortoiseshell and the Red Admiral - a migrant that travels to our bog's rich autumn harvest of heather nectar all the way from North Africa.

The sight of our wetlands bejeweled with our exquisitely beautiful butterflies is a memorable experience. Anyone privileged to be granted a close-up view of a shimmeringly violet Common Blue or a dazzling Small Copper will understand the sheer beauty and value of our wetland heritage.

Let us rejoice in our bogs as heritage to be handed on. I hope my own sons will be able to show their children the wonders I have seen. - Jesmond Harding

1. The Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) flies for 5-6 weeks during May and June. Photo: P. Foss 2. The Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Clossiana euphrosyne) is the most scarce and restricted butterfly species in Ireland. Its distribution is concentrated in the Burren, Co. Clare in wet meadows. Photo: J. Harding 3. The first Clouded Yellows (Colias crocea) of the season are often recorded in sites located on the southern coastal counties of Ireland such as Fenor Bog, Co. Waterford. Photo: C. O'Connell 4. Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) Photo: J. Harding 5. Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) on the larval food plant - Devil's Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). It is the only Irish butterfly species listed for protection under the Habitats Directive. Photo: J. Harding Opposite: Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) butterfly. Photo: P. Foss