DougNeve

These butterfly images were taken by during the spring and summer of this year in East and West Sussex. About fifty-seven species of butterflies can be found throughout British Isles and of these about forty-five regularly appear in Sussex.

All butterflies lay eggs and their life history proceeds in three successive stages of metamorphosis. The first stage after the hatching of the egg, known as the larva
(pl. larvae) or caterpillar is that during which the insect feeds and grows. The second is the pupa (pl. pupae) or chrysalis, which serves to bridge the gap between the larva and the winged adult. The third stage is when the insect becomes winged and sexually active.

Species such as the Peacock, Brimstone, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell hibernate during the winter and emerge during the spring. Most of the other species overwinter as either caterpillars or pupa and emerge as winged adults during the spring or early summer. Some species may produce a second brood during the summer. Species such as the Camberwell Beauty, Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady are migrant visitors. The magnificent Camberwell

Beauty is however very rarely seen in Sussex. Some Red Admirals are visitors and others may hibernate here during the winter.

Many of the butterflies found throughout Sussex are widely distributed, however some species, such as the Grayling and Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary are confined to a small number of specimens at one or two locations.

For further information on butterflies of Sussex visit www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk

Technique
Having previously used macro lenses of 50mm, 70mm and 105mm focal length to photograph butterflies I now only use the 70mm. For me, this focal length allows close enough access to the subject with a reasonable chance of it not being frightened and an increased depth of field when compared to longer focal length lenses. At its minimum focusing distance of 257 mm the depth of field is a mere millimetre or two at f/22. As the depth of field increases with the distance between the lens and the subject, I tend to focus away from the minimum focusing distance depending on the size of the subject.

All the images shown were taken with a Sigma 70mm Macro lens mounted on a Nikon D7000 body incorporating an APS-C sensor. To maximise depth of field the lens aperture was set to the minimum of f/22. Illumination was provided by twin Canon Speedlite 177A flashguns, set to ‘auto’ mounted on a Kennett flash-bracket. The flash-bracket consists of two annular rings, through which the lens passes, which can be rotated against each other and then clamped together. Each ring incorporates an arm with two hinged joints onto which a flashgun is mounted. The position of each flashgun can be changed by varying the angular position of the hinged joints and/or rotating the rings against each other.

Doug Neve

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1 Brimstone: Hibernates over the winter period and can be seen from the spring until late autumn. Diverse habitat and is widespread throughout Sussex.

2 Chalk-hill Blue: First emerges in July. Found in open grassy, bushy and flowery environments on chalky soils. Can be seen locally on the downs near Friston Forest, Beachy Head, Butts Brow and Birling Gap.

3 Comma: Hibernates over the winter period and can be seen from the early spring until late autumn. Has an irregular outline of the wings with the letter ‘C’ to the underside of the hind-wing. Found in woodland clearings and is widespread throughout Sussex.

4 Common Blue: First emerges in May. Feeds on vetches and clovers and is widespread throughout Sussex.

5 Dark Green Fritillary: First emerges during June. Found on open grassy, bushy and flowery environments on chalky soils. Can be seen locally on the downs near Beachy Head and Birling Gap.

6 Dingy Skipper: First emerges in April. Found on grassy areas incorporating patches of bare earth. Can be seen locally on the downs near Butts Brow.

7 Grayling: First emerges mid-July. Found on heathland and open grassy places. Can be seen locally on Windover Hill.

8 Green Hairstreak. First emerges in April. Found in a diverse range of habitats, particularly those incorporating gorse and broom. Can be found locally on the edges of Horseshoe Plantation near Birling Gap.

9 Marbled White: First emerges in June. Found on grassy, flowery areas. Can be seen locally on the downs near Birling Gap and Beachy Head and at Arlington Reservoir. Not normally found in Sussex east of Eastbourne.

10 Meadow Brown: First emerges in late May. Diverse habitat. Widespread throughout Sussex.

11 Red Admiral: Migrant visitor which also hibernates over the winter period. Can be seen from the early spring until late autumn. Diverse habitat. Widespread throughout Sussex.

12 Ringlet: First emerges in late June: Found in grassy places and woodland clearings. Can be found at Arlington Reservoir and Abbots Wood.

13 Silver-spotted Skipper: First emerges in mid-July. Found on open grassy, bushy and flowery environments. Can be seen locally on the downs near Butts Brow and at Malling Down.

14 Silver-washed Fritillary: First emerges in June. Found in woodland and attracted to bramble blossom. Can be seen locally at Abbots Wood.

15 Small Skipper: First emerges in late May. Found on open grassy, bushy and flowery environments. Widespread throughout Sussex.

16 Small White: First emerges in April. Diverse habitat. Widespread throughout Sussex.

17 Speckled Wood: First emerges in the early spring. Found in deciduous and coniferous woodland. Prefers shady areas with dappled sunlight. Widespread throughout Sussex.

18 White Admiral: First emerges in late June. Found in deciduous and coniferous woodland. Prefers sunny clearings. Can be seen locally at Abbots Wood.

19 White:-letter Hairstreak First emerges in late June. Found near woodland containing Elm trees and are particularly attracted to bramble blossom. Has a letter ‘W’ on the underside of the hind wing. Can be found locally in the Cuckmere Valley and at Horseshoe Plantation near Birling Gap.