This is one of Ireland’s most common and familiar species, being a common resident of gardens and parks and one of the reasons why you should grow nettles in your garden! It also loves nectar-rich flowers and several dozen can be seen on a single Buddleia at times. It hibernates as an adult and can sometimes be seen in attics and sheds in the winter.

Distribution: All Europe. The form ichnusa occurs on Sardinia and Corsica

Flight Period: Flies July-October in two broods and in March-April post-hibernation

Habitat: Gardens, parks, brownfield sites, woodland margins, meadows below 3000m.

Foodplants: Nettle (Urtica dioica).

Nectar Sources: Dandelions (Taraxacum), willows (Salix), scabiouses (Knautia, Succisa), knapweeds (Centaurea), brambles (Rubus), thistles (Cirsium), Buddleia, Ivy (Hedera helix), Sedum, Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) and Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) among others.

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