Churchyard Nature Note with Andrew Tompsett
August 2011
Church Bells and Ringlets
Kill not the moth or butterfly For the last judgement day is nigh’
William Blake 1757-1827e'
Although many butterflies are declining in numbers, our churchyard has one species, the Ringlet, which may be readily seen on almost any reasonably fine day in August.
If you stand beside the patch of long grass adjacent to the War Graves Garden they may be seen fluttering amongst the grass
seed heads. What they are doing is impossible to see but it is now that they are dropping their eggs as they fly amongst the grasses, behaviour which is unusual since most butterflies normally fix them onto their preferred food plant .
Ringlets inhabit sheltered areas of tall grass, preferably where nearby bramble flowers provide nectar for the adults during their short life. Meanwhile the caterpillars feed low down on grass leaves (usually Cocksfoot grass) and remain there throughout the autumn and winter until, at last, they pupate, the adults appearing again the following June.
The butterflies being dark brown in colour, almost black, and seldom settling means that it is difficult to see the light coloured rings (which gives them their name) on each of the four wings unless you approach very stealthily. Whilst most butterflies prefer sunshine, Ringlets are notable for still being active on dull, even drizzly days.
It is reported that this species does not travel far and so it is likely that ours is a distinct colony dependent upon the patch of long grass which we allow to grow each summer. Mowing in late summer, as was once the traditional practice in hayfields does not threaten them because by then the larvae will be near ground level where they over-winter protected from frost.
There are many other butterfly species which inhabit hay-meadows of long grass and wild flowers. Since today many grass fields are cut early for silage it is good to know that the churchyard continues to provide what many butterfly species need.