red admiral (vanessa atlanta) a migratory species arriving in Cyprus in October after the first rains. On the wing through the winter until May in the lowlands and June in the mountains. Common in Europe, North Africa. Middle East, Western Asia, North America and New Zealand. In Cyprus common from plains to mountains. Feeds from flower nectar and the juices of ripe fruit. Lays its eggs throughout the winter months producing three broods. Main host plant is Small Nettle, the larvae protected by a leaf canopy built by the parents.

small desert blue/persian grass blue (micronoctua karsholti) adult emerges in May and on the wing to November in three broods. Native to southern Turkey, Cyprus, Middle East and Arabian Peninsula, restricted by the availability of its laval host plant (prosposis farcta), and so distributed in small local areas. Seen in open fields and on street pavements.

lulworth skipper (thymelieus acteon) emerges end of April, flying to beginning of July. Its range spreads across central and southern Europe, North Africa, Turkey, the Middle East, Iran and Iraq. In Cyprus more common on lowland areas flying close to the ground, resting on vegetation with wings half open. Feeds from flowers of Phagnalon rupestre and Onopordun cyprium. Lays its eggs on plants from Poaceae family, with emerging larvae hibernating over winter in a small silken cocoon, protected by leaves joined together.

painted lady (vanessa cardui) on the wing throughout the year in sucessive broods. A migratory species which arrives in Cyprus sometimes in great numbers from March to May. Common throughout the world except South America. In Cyprus it lives on every type of habitat from sea to the mountains. Lays its eggs on plants from the Compositae family, protecting its larvae in leaves joined together with silk. Pupae and larvae overwinter on small tree mallow a very common garden weed.

small white (atogia rapae) seen throughout the year in overlapping broods. Caterpillars survive through the mild winters. Common throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia, seen on plains and in mountains. Lays its eggs on white mustard plant.

hummingbird hawkmoth (macroglossum stellatarum) flies from May to September, caterpillars seen from June to October. Three generations with the last generation overwintering in crevices in walls and trees as an adult. Distributed through Southern Europe and North Africa. Habitat coast, gardens, woodland edge and urban areas. Feeds from lady's bedstraw and wild madder. Lays eggs on red valerian .

hawkmoth (agrius convolvui family noctuidae flies from April to September in overlapping generations. Common in south eastern Mediterranean with its range extending to south eastern Indonesia. It is resident in Cyprus.

chequered swallowtail (papillo demoleus) first seen in Cyprus Aug 2021. Native to Asia and Australia, but a strong flyer it has spread to other areas including the Middle East. Found in fields, gardens and woods.Feeds from and lays its eggs on citrus trees. five generations annually