Posted on by Jesmond Harding

Butterflies to Look for in early July

The weather in Ireland in early July 2025 is so-so. Not hot, not cold, not sunny, but not raining heavily. Unlike in 2024, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock caterpillars are being frequently seen on nettles as both butterflies rebuild after two years of wet weather.

Populations are higher this year, but not abundant. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it suffered enormous damage on a single day in 443 AD when an earthquake struck central Italy, as the Mount Vettore fault system ruptured. The damage caused by a massive event can be irreparable or take a long time to resolve.

I have not recorded a Garden Tiger moth in my garden since 2015. Damage is therefore ongoing, so my advice is never to turn one’s nose at a common butterfly. Celebrate each; you never know when we may lose them.

Small White female on a Creeping Thistle flower. This butterfly has suffered a 78% decline from 2008-2024.
The Small Tortoiseshell has fallen by 63% during the period 2008-2024.
Green-veined White pair; male with opened wings. Its population trend from 2008-2024 shows a decline of 86%.
The Meadow Brown is abundant in semi-natural grassland in the east of Ireland in early July. Its population trend during 2008-2024 is a strong decline, at -77%.
A lovely male Small Copper butterfly, second generation. This species fell by 68% in 2024 compared with the 2008 baseline.
Finally, a positive story. The colonising Comma was recorded in just 1% of Ireland before 2010. During the period 2010-2021, this rose to 21.5%.
Comma upperside, hutchinsoni form.

All photographs above were taken in early July 2025.

All photos copyright Jesmond Harding.