Butterflies and day-flyingmoths of the Lothians& the Scottish Bordersan id entification guide

Butterflies and moths are beautiful insects and a joy toobserve as well as identify. This guide will help you identifyall the butterflies, and some of the common day-flyingmoths that occur in the Lothians and Scottish Borders.It also has a table so you can easily see which species areon the wing at a given time, and suggests some of the bestand most easily accessible places in the region for you to seethem. We hope this leaflet will encourage you to learn moreabout these beautiful insects.

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SKIPPERS1 Small Skipper 26-30mmThymelicus sylvestrisA recent coloniser from England,this is a butterfly of rough, grassyplaces, such as field margins,roadside verges and disusedrailway lines. It will probablycontinue to spread along habitatcorri dors in response to thewarmer climate. It is on the wingthroughout July and August.

2 Large Skipper 33-35mmOchlodes sylvanusA former resident, with recordsfrom the 19th century, this specieshas recently been re-colonising theBorders area. It is found in areasof tall grassland, favouring moresheltered spots than the SmallSkipper, and it is on the wing earlier- from early June, continuing to flyuntil late July and perhaps August.

YELLOWS & WHITES3 Clouded Yellow 57-62mmColias croceusA migrant to the UK from theContinent, this butterfly is wellknown for its mass immigrationswhen they arrive in large numbersin "Clouded Yellow years". It ismost frequently seen between Mayand September along the coast.

4 Large White 63-70mmPieris brassicaeThis is our largest white butterflyand a strong flier. The caterpillarsfeed on brassicas such as cabbage,broccoli and nasturtiums, and aretherefore disliked by gardeners.It is distinguishable from the SmallWhite by its larger size, darkerblack wing tips extending furtherdown the wing edge, and bolderspots. Flies June - September.

5 Small White 38-57mmPieris rapaeThe caterpillars feed on brassicas,but they cause less damage thanthose of the Large White. Easilyconfused with the Green-veinedWhite which is similar in size, butthe upperside has dark tips to theforewings, and it lacks the greenveins on the underside of the wing.It is one of the first butterflies to beseen in spring and flies all summer.

6 Green-veined White 40-52mmPieris napiGenerally this is the most commonspecies of white to be seen in thecountryside. Unlike the two “cabbagewhites”, the Green-veined Whitefeeds on wild crucifers and is nota garden pest. The green veins onthe underside of the wing distinguishthis from other white butterflies andmoths, but they can fade with wearand are less distinct in secondgeneration butterflies. One of the firstbutterflies of spring, it flies all summer.

7 Orange-tip 45-50mmAnthocharis cardaminesMales are unmistakable withtheir bright orange wing-tips, butfemales have no orange so couldbe confused with Small or Green-veined Whites. However, Orange-tips have more rounded wingtips and distinctive mottled greenundersides that can also be seenfaintly through the upperwing. Theirdistinctive orange eggs can befound on the caterpillars’ food plants- crucifers such as cuckoo flower,garlic mustard, honesty and dame’sviolet. Flies mid April to June.

HAIRSTREAKS,COPPERS AND BLUES8 Green Hairstreak 27-34mmCallophrys rubiDespite the bright green appearanceof this small butterfly, which alwayssits with its wings closed, it is oftendifficult to spot. It prefers warm,sheltered sites near woodlandor along the scrubby edges ofmoorland where its caterpillars feedon blaeberry (bilberry). The GreenHairstreak flies from mid April to June.

9 Purple Hairstreak 37-39mmFavonius quercusA striking butterfly, but difficult tosee as it feeds on honeydew on theleaves of trees. We have no recentsightings, but there is no reasonwhy it should not be still present.The adult butterflies are best lookedfor in late afternoon or early eveningon warm days by scanning the topsof the oak trees with binoculars.Occasionally they fly down fromthe canopy to nectar on flowers.The caterpillars feed only on oak.Flies late July to mid-September.

10 Small Copper 32-35mmLycaena phlaeasThis dainty butterfly is a widespreadspecies found in a range of habitats,including gardens. Its caterpillarsfeed on common and sheep's sorrel.The spring and summer broods canoverlap, so it can be seen from lateApril through to mid-October,although it is rarely abundant.

11 Small Blue 20-30mmCupido minimusUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe smallest butterfly in the UK,this dusky-coloured species is easilyoverlooked. Currently known fromjust one coastal site in the Borders,it was formerly found on disusedrailway lines around Hawick. Thesole foodplant is kidney vetch. Theday-flying and much more commonChimney Sweeper moth is rathersimilar, but the Small Blues have awhite border extending all aroundthe wing. Flies mid May to late July.

12 Common Blue 29-36mmPolyommatus icarusA widespread butterfly found ina variety of grassy habitats almostanywhere that its caterpillar'sfoodplant, common bird's-foot-trefoil, occurs. The beautiful andbrightly-coloured males are veryconspicuous, while the females aregenerally blue-brown with distinctiveorange spots. It usually has just onegeneration a year, the adults flyingbetween June and September.

Northern Brown Argus 26-35mmAricia artaxerxesUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesWhen newly-emerged this smallbutterfly has beautiful deep, velvetybrown upper wings. It could beconfused with a female CommonBlue, which can occur in the samehabitats, but the pattern on theundersides and the gleaming whitespot on each forewing distinguishit (see front cover). Adults fly fromearly June to early September.

13 Holly Blue 30-35mmCelastrina argiolusThis species has appeared in theregion in recent years having spreadfrom the south. Check its silvery-blue underwings for identification.Of the blue butterflies it is the mostlikely one to be seen in gardensor parks, as it is not dependenton flower-rich grasslands, like theCommon and Small Blues. Thereare two generations per year and itis on the wing primarily in April/Mayand August. In early spring thecaterpillars feed on holly, while in thesummer ivy is the main foodplant.

VANESSIDS AND FRITILLARIES14 Red Admiral 67-72mmVanessa atalantaA familiar and distinctive ‘garden’butterfly, that migrates to the UKevery year from southern Europeand North Africa. It can breed inScotland but rarely survives ourwinters. The major influx startsin late May and is reinforced untilAugust, with adults being seenuntil November in good years. Thecaterpillars feed on stinging nettles.

15 Painted Lady 64-70mmVanessa carduiAnother migrant, this species isunable to over-winter in any part ofthe UK and re-colonises each yearfrom mainland Europe, sometimesin spectacular numbers. They canoften be seen congregating in areaswith thistles, which serve as both afoodplant for the caterpillars and anectar source for the adults. Thepeak of immigration usually occursin June, and adults can be seenuntil October or November, butthere appears to be no reversemigration south in autumn.

16 Small Tortoiseshell 50-56mmAglais urticaeThis well-known butterfly can beseen in virtually any month of the yearin almost any habitat. The caterpillarsfeed on stinging nettles growing insunny conditions, favouring freshyoung leaves. It over-winters as anadult and is one of the first butterfliesto emerge in the spring. In autumnadults are regularly found in houses,sheds and outbuildings seekinghibernation sites.

17 Peacock 63-69mmInachis ioAn unmistakable butterfly and nowa regular garden visitor, its rangehas rapidly expanded northwardsin recent years. Often one of the firstbutterflies to be seen in the springhaving overwintered as adults, itssummer brood can be seen fromJuly to September, in much largernumbers. Its caterpillars feed onthe young leaves of stinging nettles.

18 Comma 55-60mmPolygonia c-albumAn unmistakeable butterfly withragged shaped wings. The adultshibernate and emerge in early spring,producing a second generation fromJuly to early October. The caterpillarsfeed on elm, nettles and hop. It hasspread north in recent years and isa beautiful new addition to thebutterfly fauna of southern Scotland.

19 Small Pearl-bordered FritillaryBoloria selene 41-44mmUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThis species occurs in damp,flower-rich habitats, rushy pastures,woodland clearings and the edgesof bogs and moorlands. Theseconditions are more common inthe west of the country, and thusthe butterfly can be abundant in,for example, parts of Argyll andStirlingshire, while it is rare inthe Lothians and Borders. Thecaterpillars feed on marsh anddog violets, and the adults flyfrom late May to early August.

20 Dark Green Fritillary 63-69mmArgynnis aglajaThis is a large butterfly that feedson violets as a caterpillar. It iswidespread and is often found inflower-rich habitats with patches ofscrub, especially along the coast.It could possibly be confused withthe Small Pearl-bordered Fritillarybut is a more powerful flier, is muchlarger and has a green backgroundto the underside of its hind wing.It flies from mid-June to early August.

BROWNS21 Speckled Wood 47-50mmPararge aegeriaA butterfly of shady woodlands,this species is a recent arrivalfrom England with records fromthe coast and a record inPeeblesshire in 2011. Males areoften seen perched in sunlit spotsready to defend their territory orintercept females, and they areon the wing from late April to lateOctober. The caterpillars feed onvarious grasses.

22 Wall 44-46mmLasiommata megeraUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesStill relatively uncommon in theregion, this is a species which requirespatches of bare and disturbed groundfor success. It is found mainly incoastal regions and is on the wingin May and June and again, ingreater numbers, in August andearly September. The caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses.

23 Scotch Argus 35-40mmErebia aethiopsThe Scotch Argus breeds in tall,damp grassland and wet woodlandwhere the caterpillars feed on avariety of grasses. In sunshine malescan be very active, but cloudyweather can cause them to stopflying completely. In the region, thisbutterfly is confined to the Borders,where it is much less common thanit used to be, possibly due to climatechange and/or the loss of its habitats,although it seems to have never beenwidespread. It is the last butterfly ofthe season to emerge, flying fromlate July until early September.

24 Grayling 55-60mmHipparchia semeleUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe Grayling needs warm, sunnysites with bare ground and fine-leaved grasses, upon which thenocturnal caterpillars feed. Its naturalhabitats include coastal cliffs, dunesand heaths, but it has been able tocolonise many so-called ‘brownfield’sites such as old quarries andindustrial sites, and railway lines.In recent years it has spread intoEdinburgh and onto Arthur’s Seat.The adult butterflies can be hardto see at rest due to their superbcamouflage. They are on the wingfrom late June to early September.

25 Meadow Brown 50-55mmManiola jurtinaThe Meadow Brown can be seen ina variety of flower-rich habitats, oftenin large numbers. The caterpillarsfeed on a variety of grasses. Malestend to be darker than females, butthe amount of orange on both isvariable. A strong flier, on the wingfrom late June to early September.

26 Small Heath 34-38mmCoenonympha pamphilusUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesAn inconspicuous butterfly thattends to fly only in bright conditions,and always keeps its wings closedat rest. It occurs mostly on grasslandswhere the sward is short and wherethere are fine-leaved grasses uponwhich the caterpillar feeds. Althoughwidespread in Scotland, it hasundergone massive declines inother parts of the UK. It only hasone generation per year, from midMay to early August.

27 Large Heath 35-40mmCoenonympha tulliaUK Biodiversity Action Plan SpeciesThe Large Heath is restricted towet, boggy habitats where its mainfoodplant, hare's-tail cottongrassgrows. It always sits with its wingsclosed, but can be distinguishedfrom the Small Heath by its dullercolour, larger size. It usually hasmore prominent spots on thehindwing, but they are not alwayspresent. Flies from early Juneto early August.

28 Ringlet 48-52mmAphantopus hyperantusThe Ringlet has been expandingits range in Scotland. It has a verydark, velvety appearance and awhite ‘fringe’ to its wings whennewly emerged. The "ringlets" onthe under-wings vary in numberand size and can be virtually absent.It favours tall, damp grassland,where the caterpillars feed on avariety of grasses. It flies, even indull conditions, from late June toAugust, and can be abundant.

DAY-FLYING MOTHSThe day-flying moths shownare all conspicuous andattractive, and are sometimesmistaken for butterflies. Thereare probably several hundredspecies of moth that couldbe seen in the region - butmost only fly at night.

29 Six-spot Burnet 25-40mmZygaena filipendulaeThe bright red and black coloursof the adults mean ‘birds beware’because the moth is packed witha chemical defence in the form ofcyanide! The caterpillars are alsopoisonous and they are thought toderive these chemicals from theirfoodplant, common bird’s-footTrefoil. Flies from late June toAugust in sunny, grassy places,especially the coast.

30 Cinnabar 34-46mmTyria jacobaeaeThe adult Cinnabar has similarcoloration to the unrelated Six-spotBurnet, and is also poisonousto birds. In this case the poison,again obtained by the caterpillars,comes from common ragwort.The adults fly from mid-May toAugust in dry, grassy habitats. Thecaterpillars are also conspicuous,having orange and black stripes.

31 Chimney Sweeper 24-30mmOdezia atrataThis striking little moth is sometimesmistaken for the Small Blue butterfly(see above), but is much morewidespread. The Chimney Sweeperis entirely black / very dark brown,except for the white edges of thewing tips. The adults are on the wingbetween June and early August.The caterpillars feed on the flowersand seeds of Pignut, and thus thismoth is found in open woodlandsand flower-rich grasslands.

32 Mother Shipton 26-32mmCallistege miThis moth gets its strange namefrom the wing pattern which isreputed to resemble an old witch!The caterpillars can feed on grassesand various legumes, such as whiteclover and common bird’s-footTrefoil. The adults are on the wingfrom late-April through to earlyJuly, usually found in sunny habitatswith flowery grasslands.

33 Yellow Shell 25-30mmCamptogramma bilineataA common and widespread moth,often disturbed from long grassby day. The caterpillars feed onbedstraws. On the wing earlyJune to late August.

34 Emperor Moth 60-80mmSaturnia pavoniaA stunning moth, one of ourlargest and quite common onmoorland, where it is on the wingin spring during April and May.The caterpillars are also striking,being bright green with eitheryellow or pink spots! They canbe very conspicuous betweenMay and August.

Want to get involved?There are significant gaps in ourknowledge of the current distributionand changes in butterfly and mothpopulations. Everyone can contributeand we really do need your butterflyand moth sightings. Your local park will almost certainlyhave a variety of butterflies, suchas Peacock, Orange-tip, andLarge, Small and Green-veinedWhite, especially if the local Councilhas sown an area with nativeflowers and grasses. Moths willprobably not be so obvious, butwhy not find out on Moth Nightwww.mothnight.info

Why?Butterfly and moth recording is the foundationupon which the conservation of butterflies isbased. It allows an assessment of populationtrends, helps identify priorities and can measurethe effectiveness of conservation action. Butterfliescan be quick to respond to changes to theirenvironment. They therefore make excellentindicator species, capable of detecting changesdue to new management or the effects of climatechange. Populations are also rarely static makingtheir study more interesting. You can recordthem in your garden or venture to parts of thecountryside you would otherwise not visit. Aboveall, though, it is easy, great fun and very rewarding!

When?Choose warm, sunny days to look for butterfliesand moths, when they are more active. Alwaystake a map. Many paths are uneven so wearfootwear with good ankle support and for longerwalks take warm, waterproof clothing as weatherconditions can change quickly. A mobile phone,sun hat, snack and drink are good safetyprecautions. Let someone know where you havegone and what time you expect to be back.

What?Butterfly recording comprises of monitoring andsurveying. Monitoring is used to collect informationabout changes to individual populations or sitesover time, normally annually. Surveying is concernedwith collecting distribution data and requires visitsto several sites to gain a true picture of butterflydistributions. However, if surveys are repeated(e.g. five years later) this could be regarded asmonitoring. Remember to take a notebook andpencil into the field to record your sightings.Binoculars and a butterfly net can also be useful.

Where?Most butterflies prefer sheltered sunny locationswith plenty of nectar. Several are specialistsand will only be found in, or near to, their nichehabitat. Other species, particularly the largerand more mobile species e.g. Red Admiral andPainted Lady, can be seen almost anywhere.

How?To record butterflies you need to provide thefollowing information; species name, how manyyou saw, location name, grid reference from anOrdnance Survey map, date, and your contactdetails. Butterfly records should be sent to yourlocal butterfly recorder (see below) who verifiesand collates them before they appear asdots in distribution maps.

Our records are co-ordinated by volunteers.Please send your butterfly records for theLothians and Borders to Duncan Davidson,140 Pitcorthie Drive, Dunfermline, KY11 8BJ.duncan@dwwd.freeserve.co.uk

And your moth records toBorders: Dr Malcolm Lindsay, Burn House,Mossilee Road, Galashiels, TD1 1NF.malcandles@tiscali.co.uk

East Lothian: Mike Thornton, 107 (1F3) PittStreet, Bonnington, Edinburgh, EH6 4DE.mike_thornton_99@yahoo.com

Midlothian & Edinburgh: Dr Alastair Sommerville,4 Woodbank Crofts, Westfield, Bathgate,West Lothian, EH48 3ATalastair@biodiversitysolutions.co.uk.

West Lothian: Mark Cubitt, 12 Burgh Mills Lane,Linlithgow, EH49 7TA. moths@cubes.f9.co.uk.

Want to know more? The following books are recommended.Philip’s Guide to butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Jeremy Thomas (2007)ISBN No. 13 978-0-540-08980-2Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. (2007) Martin Townsend and Paul Waring. Excellent field guide to moths. ISBN No. 978-0-9531399-6-5Butterfly Atlas of the Scottish Borders (Mercer et al., 2009).Information on distribution, ecology, sites and habitats. ISBN 0-9551086-2-4

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flight PeriodsBUTTERFLIESLarge SkipperSmall SkipperClouded YellowLarge WhiteSmall WhiteGreen-veined WhiteOrange-tipGreen HairstreakPurple HairstreakSmall CopperSmall BlueNorthern Brown ArgusHolly BlueCommon BlueRed AdmiralPainted LadySmall TortoiseshellPeacockCommaSmall Pearl-b'd FritillaryDark Green FritillaryWallSpeckled WoodScotch ArgusGraylingMeadow BrownRingletSmall HeathLarge HeathDAY-FLYING MOTHSSix-spot BurnetCinnabarChimney SweeperMother ShiptonYellow ShellEmperor Moth

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

WEST LOTHIAN1 Westrigg bing and bog. The entrance is off the B718 Harthill to Blackridge Road, opposite Station Road(NS900667). The Armadale-Blackridge section of the National Cycle network (no. 75) passes through the site.The fritillaries can be found in the wetter parts of the site, at around NS909669. Species present includeSmall Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Common Blue. The fritillaries can be found in the wetter parts of the site,at around NS909669. More information at www.eastscotland-butterflies.org.uk2 Linlithgow Peel. The grounds around Linlithgow Palace, well sign-posted from the M9 and A803. Speciespresent include Orange-tip, Small Copper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.More information at www.historic-scotland.gov.ukEDINBURGH3 Holyrood Park/Arthur’s Seat/Salisbury Crags. Off the lower end of the Royal Mile. Several access points.Holyrood entrance approx. NT270737. Species present are Northern Brown Argus, Grayling, Holly Blue,Orange-tip, Common Blue, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Six-spot Burnet, Cinnabar, Yellow Shell and Mother Shipton. For more information call Historic Scotland on 0131 652 8150or email hs.rangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk4 Calton Hill. Immediately east of Princes Street, NT263743. Species present are Grayling,Northern Brown Argus and Holly Blue. More information at www.edinburgh.gov.uk5 Bonaly Country Park, Pentlands. Access along Bonaly Road from Colinton Village, off the Edinburghby-pass. Well sign-posted, but take care, single track road leads to car park at NT212675. Species presentare Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath. Moreinformation at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/phrp/ or call the Ranger Services on 0131 445 3383MIDLOTHIAN6 Glencorse Reservoir, Pentland Country Park. The Green Hairstreak colony is near the footpath thatruns close to Glencorse Reservoir at NT217643. Either walk from the Flotterstone Visitor Centre, located off theA702 Edinburgh-Biggar Road, at the turning to the Flotterstone Inn (NT233631). Alternatively, park at CastlelawHill Fort (NT230637), and follow the path out of the bottom of the car park to Glencorse. A ravine runs from thepath down to the reservoir. Part of this ravine has been fenced off to improve the habitat for the Green Hairstreak.Other species present are Small Heath, Orange-tip, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. More information atwww.edinburgh.gov.uk/phrp/ or call the Ranger Services on 0131 445 33837 Linn-Dean Water. Park in lay-by (NT467591) on Soutra Hill, on the A86 south of Fala. Walk northwards.to the steep sheltered gorge at NT468595. Species present are Northern Brown Argus, Grayling, DarkGreen Fritillary and Common Blue. More information from the Scottish Wildlife Trust www.swt.org.ukEAST LOTHIAN8 Newhailes, Musselburgh. Turn off Edinburgh by-pass onto Musselburgh road, A6095, or by bus from Edinburgh,Lothian bus 30. Car park at NT326725. Species present are Holly Blue, Comma, Ringlet and Orange-tip. Moreinformation from National Trust for Scotland, telephone 0844 493 2124 or visit www.nts.org.uk9 John Muir Country Park, Dunbar. Two access points. (1) Turn off A1087 at West Barns. Car park atNT651788. (2) Turn off A198 into Limetree Walk. Car park at Nt627709. Species present are Dark Green Fritillary,Cinnabar Moth and Six-spot Burnet. More information at www.eastlothian.gov.ukBORDERS 10 The Bell and Killmade Burn, Whiteadder Reservoir. Along the B6355 Gifford-Chirnside road at theWhiteadder picnic site, NT666633. The Bell Wood is at NT 673633, while Killmade Burn runs southwestfrom the picnic site. Species present are Northern Brown Argus, Dark Green Fritillary, Common Blue and Ringlet.More information at www.eastscotland-butterflies.org.uk11 St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve. 5 miles off the A1 on the B6438, about 10 miles north of Berwick.Car park and visitor centre at NT913674. Buses available from Edinburgh, Berwick and Eyemouth. Speciesinclude Northern Brown Argus, Grayling, Wall, Large Skipper, Small Copper, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Heath,Common Blue, Six-spot Burnet, Yellow Shell and Chimney Sweeper. Contact National Trust for Scotlandon 0844 493 2256 or visit www.nts.org.uk12 Eyemouth-Lamberton Coast. Section of the Berwickshire Coastal Path. Access from either Eyemouth(NT947646) or Lower Burnmouth (NT960608) where parking is available too. Buses from Berwick and Eyemouthstop at Upper Burnmouth. Species present are Northern Brown Argus, Grayling, Wall, Small Copper, Small Heath,Dew Moth, Six-spot Burnet, Yellow Shell. A coastal cliff top walk also noted for its plants and geology. ContactScottish Borders Council on 01835 830281 for more information.13 Thornylee. Thornylee is situated just off the A72, approx 3 miles east of Walkerburn and 6½ miles west ofGalashiels. Car park at NT405364. Species present are Common Blue, Northern Brown Argus, Dark GreenN.B This information has been provided in good faith from a variety of sources, and Butterfly Conservation Scotland cannot be responsible for errors etc.

Scotland OfficeBalallan House 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QGTel: 01786 447753 Email: scotland@butterfly-conservation.orgwww.butterfly-conservation.orgButterfly Conservation is a registered charity and non-profit making company, limited by guarantee.Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Registered inEngland No. 2206468 Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)

Photographs by: J. Asher, A. Barnes, P. Eeles, L. Hill, M. Hitchcopse, P. Kirkland,T. Mainwood, M. Owen, P. Pugh, R. Thompson, D. Whitaker and R. Wolton.

This leaflet has been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the City of Edinburgh,East Lothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian Councils and Butterfly Conservation.

Designed and produced by nectarcreative.com Tel 01942 681648.Printed on 100% recycled paper made from post-consumer waste. bc0134

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan lists our most threatened species and habitats.Most species listed are either undergoing rapid declines, or have populations of Europeanor international importance in the UK. In Scotland some of these species will not be decliningfast, or may even be stable, but the declines in other areas mean that they qualify for listing.What action is needed for each species and habitat is determined at a combination of UK,country, regional and local levels.

Local Biodiversity Action Plans are an excellent way of co-ordinating action to conservewildlife at the local level. Local action cannot take place without the enthusiasm and interestof local people, and depends on partnerships between local communities, landowners,businesses, a range of voluntary and public organisations, and the local Council.Contact your local council to see how you can get involved.

Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity, with over 18,000 members, and nearly 1,200 in Scotland.We work closely with the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, local communitiesand conservation partners to safeguard Scotland’s butterflies and moths, by:

n Advising landowners on managing land for butterflies and moths.n Carrying out surveys of our most threatened species.n Training volunteers to enable them to take action for butterflies and moths.n Making recommendations to the Scottish Government on its environmental policies.n Encouraging everyone to cherish butterflies and moths.

Join us!You can support us in this vital work by joining Butterfly Conservation. With an annualmembership you will receive an interesting and informative welcome pack, a colourful magazineButterfly three times a year and membership of your local branch of Butterfly Conservation.Our local branches run public butterfly and moth events throughout the year. For a membershipform or for further information, please contact us.