Large day butterflies, such as the common brimstone and the mourning cloak, are some of the most impressive-looking insects of the forest. They fly around during daytime searching for flowers in order to drink their sweet nectar. When travelling between different flowers they also act as pollinators.

Butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of specific plants. For example, the small tortoiseshell butterfly always lays its eggs on the leaves of a nettle. By doing so, they make sure that their larvae have access to food straight away after hatching.

Butterflies overwinter either as eggs, larvae, pupas or adults. This is why different butterfly species can be found flying during different times of year.

Species that spend the winter as adult butterflies, such asthe mourning cloak, are the first butterflies that can be seen flying during the spring. Other species, such as the common brimstone, hatch during the summer and can be found flying late into the autumn months. Butterflies disappear from nature when winter begins to arrive. Most butterflies overwinter in a state of hibernation.

Map butterfly larvae, pupa and adults.