swallowtail (papilio machaon) adults emerge early February and on the wing till November, through four broods, overwintering as a pupae. Common in Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Asia and North America, on most habitats from sea to mountains. Fennel is its common host plant.

painted lady (vanessa cardui) on the wing throughout the year in successive 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.

mallow skipper?? (carcharodos alceae) rannge through central to southern Europe. Overwinters as larvae on common mallow, emerging in Febuary and on the wing till November. Common in Cyprus, from sea to mountains, wherever common mallow can be found.

clouded yellow (colias crocea) adults emerge in Febuary and on the wing to November in sucessive generations. Common throughout Europe, North America, Middle East and set central Asia found on every habitat from sea to mountains. Host plant lucerne, spiny rest harrow and common bird's foot trefoil.

small white (atoyeia rapae) een throughout the year in overlapping broods. pupae 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.

Lesser fiery copper (lycaena thersamon) flies from March to December with four overlapping generations. A species of southeast Europe and western Asia. Quite common in Cyprus mainly restricted to lowland areas, in fields close to water where its feeding plant polygonum equisetiforme tends to grow. Lays its eggs on polygonum equisetiforme.(polygonaceae

holly blue (celastrina argiolus) adults emerge in March and fly till October in three broods. A wide range through Europe, North Africa, Middle East, central Asia to Japan and North America. Prefers damp shady areas, close to rivers in the hills and mountains. Not found on lower ground. Ivy is one of its host plant. Likes to feed from flower nectar particularly blackberries. Ants will help protect its eggs.

paphos blue (glaucopsche paphos) It produces only one brood which overwinters as a caterpillar emerging in Febuary in coastal areas and later in May in the mountains. On the wing until May on the coats and until July in the mountains. An endemic species found only in Cyprus but very common in southern, western and northern parts of the island. Host plants restricted to three, hairy thorny broom, and two varieties of the genista family, plants more common to the west and central parts of the island.

Jersey tiger moth (euplagia quadripuntaria) overwinters as a small caterpillar, feeding from nettles, rasberries and iground ivy, hatching in spring, flying in daytime from July to September. Prefers sheltered, dark humid places to shelter from the summer heat, mainly in the hills.Widely distributed throughout south and central Europe, occasionally migrating to northern countries. In Cyprus it is a protected species.

Cyprus meadow brown (hyponephele lupina) flies from end of April to November in a single brood. Overwinters as a larva. Oriental meadow brown found in southern Europe, North Africa, Turkey, the Middle East and central western Asia. Endemic species in Cyprus found in fields and forests in the hills and mountains. Feeds from the rock rose and blackberry. Lays its eggs on the plants from the Poaceae family.

large wall brown (lasiommata maera) Emerges in Febuary, flying till November in two or three broods. Its range covers Europe, North Africa,Turkey, Middle East and central western Asia. Uncommon in Cyprus preferring mountain areas. Not seen at all on the plains. Lays its eggs on plants from the Proaceae family.

bright wave moth ?? (idaea ochrata) Found in Europe. Usually flies at night during summer months. Has the ability to change its shades of color to blend into its environment.

southern white admiral (limentis reducta) emerges in April with one brood on the wing till October in three broods. Overwinters as small larvae rolled up in a leaf of its host plant Etriscan Honeysuckle and secured to the stem with silk. Feeds from blackberry nectar. Lives in central and southern Europe, Turkey, the Middle East and western Asia. Quite rare preferring marquis, woodland edge and stony slopes above 300 meters on the Trodos mountains. Usually in alone or in small numbers it prefers shady areas near running water. Feeds from grasses.

speckled wood (pararge aegeria) emerging in February and on the wing till November. Overwinters as a pupae laid on grasses such as Chalk False-brome..Range across most of Europe, Turkey and Middle East to the Ural mountains. Quite common throughout Cyprus but prefers the mountains close to running water. Feeds from flowers of blackberry. Males territorial, waiting for passing females to fly out and invite to mate