Welcome to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Butterfly Conservation was formed by a small group of dedicated naturalists in 1968 following the alarming decline of many beautiful butterflies. Most British butterfly species remain in decline.

We aim to halt and reverse these declines. Our vision is of a world rich in butterflies for future generations to enjoy. We are also committed to the conservation of moths, which are close relatives of butterflies and are in rapid decline.

Butterflies and moths you can see now

As Spring advances into May, the number of butterflies and moths on the wing continues to grow rapidly. There have been over 45 butterfly species and over 1200 moth species recorded in May in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Listed below are selections of those that can be seen this month. Most of the moths will only be seen when attracted to light.

Common Blue
Speckled Wood
Pearl-bordered Fritillary Orange-tip
Dingy Skipper
Green-veined White
Small Heath
Small White
Small Blue
Duke of Burgundy
Grizzled Skipper
Glanville Fritillary
Holly Blue
Green Hairstreak
Brown Argus
Large White
Adonis Blue
Small Copper
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Small Tortoiseshell
Wall
Painted Lady
Marsh Fritillary
Large Skipper
Purple Hairstreak

Shuttle-shaped Dart
Treble Lines
Heart and Dart
Hebrew Character
Light Brown Apple Moth
Brimstone Moth
Flame Shoulder
Common Quaker
Vine's Rustic
Pale Tussock
White Ermine
Muslin Moth
Green Carpet
Brown Silver-line
Setaceous Hebrew Character
Orange Footman
Brindled Pug
Common Pug
Speckled Yellow
Cinnabar
Nut-tree Tussock
Bright-line Brown-eye
Pale Mottled Willow
Poplar Hawk-moth
Common Marbled Carpet

Butterflies are beautiful and intrinsically valuable. Together with moths, their sensitivity to environmental change makes them valuable indicators of the health of the countryside. We are dedicated to the conservation of:

Butterflies	Moths	Reserves

There are 46 species of butterfly occurring in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Of these 35 can be seen on our reserves. More about our butterflies...	Around 1950 species of moth have been recorded in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Over 600 of these on our reserves. More about our moths...	Butterfly Conservation has over 25 reserves across the UK, including 3 in Hampshire, Yew Hill. Magdalen Hill Down and Bentley Station Meadow. More about our reserves...

The April newsletter is now available for downloading, or reading the Members' Area

Also in the Members' Area is the full version of Tony Rackham's fascinating article on his garden Commas.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: In order to comply with Butterfly Conservation's data protection policy we have modified the Members' Area registration and login facilities. To access the area you will now need to provide your username (email address) and password.

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The Branch now has its own Facebook page. It can be found HERE... Please let us know what you think.

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Those also interested in moths are recommended to visit our associate site Hantsmoths:

NEWS

28.04.12: Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey 2011 Newsletter HERE...

28.04.12: Latest edition of E-moth now HERE...

12.04.12: The April newsletter is now available for downloading, or reading on-line in the Members' Area

09.03.12: Lyndhurst film show, details HERE...

07.03.12: Spring Reserves Bulletin now HERE...

04.03.12 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch launches its own Facebook Page - HERE...

15.02.12: Details of Plant ID days with Colin Matthews available HERE...

11-02-12: Illustrated talk - Ecology and Conservation of Bumblebees. Details HERE...

10-02-12: West Down, Chilbolton Work Parties - details HERE...

23-01-12: Botanical Trends at Magdalen Hill Down Extension - a New Report. HERE...

23-01-12: Hampshire Moth Conference - report HERE...

12-12-11: The Autumn Reserves Bulletin can be read HERE...

13-Nov-11: 2011 AGM Minutes now available for download in the Members' Area

02-Nov-11: 2011 Photographic Competition winners and runners up displayed HERE...

01-Nov-11: Moth Night returns in 2012!! Details HERE...

25-Oct-11: A Full Review of the 2011 AGM and Members' Day available HERE ...

25-Oct-11: A review of Paul Brock's "A Photographic Guide to Insects of the New Forest and Surrounding Area" can be found HERE...