BUTTERFLY BRITAIN

Five years spent roaming the country in search of all 58 native species yielded a trove of insightful images

Rare beauty

An infrequent but welcome sight on the undercliffs and chines (coastal valleys) of the south coast of the Isle of Wight and Channel Isles, the Glanville fritillary has one of the most restricted distributions in Britain. Once found as far north as Lincolnshire, its numbers declined dramatically from the 18th century. This composite photo combines multiple images to convey the movement of the insect.

The eyes have it

A close-up of an orange-tip's head reveals its extraordinary compound eye, comprising several thousand facets or lenses. This creates a mosaic image, well adapted for detecting movement - and allows it to see nectar ahead while simutaneously watching behind it for predators.

Starlight spectacle

As its name suggests, the common blue is the most frequently seen of the blue butterflies in Britain. It's found in most lowland countryside, though more numerous in the south-east. Andrew photographed this roosting individual under the Milky Way on a clear, moonless night. With its wings closed, the vivid hue after which it's named - and which only colours the upper side of the wing - is hidden from view.

Imperial grandeur

The silver-washed fritillary (left) this is a male - is one of the largest British butterflies, its silver-streaked wings reaching a span of 70mm or more. No wonder it's known in German as 'emperor's mantle'. Look for its swooping flight in sunny woodland glades and rides in July and August.

White stripes

Another butterfly with a tell-tale name, the brown hairstreak's rusty orange underwings are striped with jagged white streaks. If you're lucky, you'll spot one descending from high among ash or oak trees to sup aphid honeydew.

Purple pose