Adonis Blue

Monarch

Six Spotted Burnet
Small Copper
Spanish Festoon

Insects in Portugal

Around 140 species of butterflies reproduce in Portugal and the south is a paradise for many of them. As is to be expected they are particularly abundant during spring and early summer, however some species, like Speckled Wood, Large White, Clouded Yellow and Red Admiral are readily seen on the many fine days in mid-winter, especially in the milder coastal areas. Spring comes early here and before March is underway the first Spanish Festoons, Brimstones, Cleopatras and Swallowtails are flying. By April though numerous other species join them creating a marvellous diversity that perfectly reflects the great variety of plant life. Just in a small area, like the county of Lagos for example, close to 70 species of butterfly reproduce which is as many as do in the whole of Britain. Many of the common species in northern Europe occur here, as do many more specialities restricted to the southern climate, their sheer abundance being particularly impressive.

Of the most spectacular butterflies the Monarch is the largest and is notable in that it was first recorded breeding in the Algarve in 1998 and has since become common throughout much of the area. Other large species include the beautiful Two-tailed-Pasha and the Southern Scarce Swallowtail, the former being restricted to the inland hilly areas where its exclusive food-plant Strawberry Tree occurs. The diminutive emerald green Chapman’s Green Hairstreak also relies on this plant for supporting its caterpillars.

The limestone area which stretches across inland Algarve known as the Barrocal where wild orchids and many unique and protected plants abound are home to the greatest number of butterflies. As with flora, the best time to see them is between March and May when amongst a mass of others, a number of rare species can be found. Portugal’s only endemic butterfly, the little Panopte’s Blue, the tiny endangered False Baton Blue and the charming Provence Hairstreak can all be detected by locating their food-plants, the thymes, Cleonia lusitanica and the Iberian Milk Vetch respectively. The strictly protected Marsh Fritillary, threatened with extinction in the UK, is common along the valleys here and the lovely Spanish Marbled White abounds on the hilltops along with a good number of other delightful butterflies.

The very unusual Ribbon-tailed Lacewing is an uncommon insect of southern Portugal. Closely related to the Ant Lion family its hind wings are modified into the form of a feather, enabling the insect to hover over flowers. Another unusual but common insect is the Six-spot Burnet which is a very attractive day-flying moth. Seen in mid-spring it is notable in so much as it exudes cyanide as a defence mechanism! Dragonflies and Damselflies are abundant throughout the region in summer and there are usually excellent opportunities for photographs of the Emperor dragonfly.

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