butterflies

[koamu05]

Hi, whilst out walking yesterday in our local countryside the footpath we were on was bordered on both sides by hedgerow. The usual mixture of blackberry/ rosehip/ hawthorne etc. One particular section [ about 100 meters or so ] was alive with hundreds of Red Admiral butterflies. My wife and I have lived in or near to open countryside for nearly fifty years and neither of us have seen anything like this before. Anyone know why so many butterflies would concentrate in such a small area like that?

[Cetti]

I think so, but first of all what a wonderful sight that must have been, I do envy you both. Were you able to take any pics?

This summer has seen a plentiful array of butterflies thanks to the hot humid weather and even migratory ones like the Red Admiral have stayed for the rich pickings and the very late warm days. Some remain, but most don�t make it through the winter.

In the autumn they converge in considerable numbers to feed on the juice of rotting fruit, blackberries and the sap from damaged trees. Probably to store up energy for the return migration or for hibernation in this country.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Koamu, I would hazard a guess and say they may have been attracted to nettles growing among the other hedgerow plants. Nettles are the food plant for the caterpillars, also I imagine they were getting ready for hibernation at this time of the year.
Why so many ? My other guess is that its been the warmest september on record, which seems to be favourable conditions to many kinds of insects.
I'd love to know if I'm right re the nettles. All the Best Tbird+

[koamu05]

Thanks Cetti and Tbird for your replies. Unfortunately no pictures but it was a wonderful sight.