Moths & Butterflies of the Outer Hebrides
Lepidoptera
Butterflies and moths are often thought of as two distinct groups, however, they are both classified as Lepidoptera. This website currently contains information on over 250 species of moth recorded from the Outer Hebrides from 2009 from the Uists and Benbecula. The majority have been caught in light traps such as mains-operated 125w mercury vapour, and lighter actinic light traps for use in the field. In addition, the use of butterfly nets and field observations are good for day-flying moths.
Thirteen species of butterfly are regularly recorded on the islands: Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Large Heath. The Speckled Wood has been recorded on Lewis since 2004 and the Ringlet on South Uist since 2008. There are rare occurrences of the Clouded Yellow (migrant from southern Europe) and there have been two records of the Monarch (North American migrant species)
The accounts of individual species are arranged taxonomically and can be located by either using the Taxonomic Index, Family Index (thumbnails) or the search facility. As there are relatively few species of butterflies compared with moths, a separate index has been provided.
