Butterflies

Hesperiidae (skippers)

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) - common, flies from June to August

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) - common, mostly in July, very similar to Small Skipper but with black tips to antennae

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) - common, flies June to August, similar to Essex Skipper but antennae tips are orange

Pieridae (whites)

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) - a very common spring butterfly, earliest date 31st March 2019 and latest 3rd June 2007. The males are very easy to tell; females can be mistaken for other white butterflies but have much more strongly marked underwings. They lay their eggs on Garlic Mustard, Cuckoo-flower and Honesty, and the eggs and caterpillars can be found with careful searching.

The Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) - a common and distinctive yellow butterfly, flying in the spring (earliest local date 24th Feb 2019) followed by the next generation flying from July into the early autumn when it adults hibernate for the winter. Eggs are laid on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn; I think some of the shrubs planted by the pub beer garden are the latter but I've not noticed either elsewhere in the village yet.

Large White (Pieris brassicae) - common but perhaps less so than previously? Particularly fond of garden Nasturtiums. Earliest local flying date is 22nd April, with 5th October being the latest.

Green-veined White (Pieris napi) - the commonest of the three "whites" on the damper Common, although hard to tell from Small White in flight. On the wing throughout the summer, earliest/latest being 9th April and 19th August.

Small White (Pieris rapae) - common but somewhat reduced in recent years? Earliest local record 11th March and latest 27th August, although can fly into October and later ones may have gone unrecorded.

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) - an irregular migrant to Britain, one was photographed in 2016

Nymphalidae (admirals, browns)

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) - reported several times by others, particularly around Shotesham Little Wood. One seen near Priory Lane in 2021. Its caterpillars feed on Honeysuckle.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) - a common summer migrant arriving in varying numbers each year, although somewhat more consistent than Painted Lady. A nettle feeder.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) - a migrant that arrives hugely variable numbers between years, from abundant (e.g. 2019) to almost absent (e.g. 2020). Lays its eggs on thistles mostly.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - a very familiar butterfly, numbers of which can vary hugely from year to year. There are two generations per year, one of which overwinters to emerge on mild days in early spring (earliest here 9th March), to lay eggs on Nettles. The next generation emerges in June or July, repeats the cycle and the adults emerge in the autumn before hibernating.

The Peacock (Inachis io) - common around the village, although numbers vary between years. Caterpillars are on nettles.

The Comma (Polygonia c-album) - common around the village, never as abundant as related species but somewhat more consistent between years. Eggs are mostly laid on nettles.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) - a spectacular large orange and black butterfly that had declined hugely but is now expanding to reoccupy much of its former range. First noted in 2018, and each summer since, it is best seen in July and August at Stubbs Green on the edge of the Great Wood, although it's also present at the Little Wood and may well continue to spread.

The Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) - can be very common from the end of June through July, a dark butterfly that notably is content to fly even on dull days.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) - very common between June and August.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) - a common butterfly flying between April and September, particularly favouring shady areas such as along Joy's Loke.

The Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) - very common later in the summer

The Wall (Lasiommata megera) - previously a common species but has declined hugely inland in recent years. One was noted in 2016 however, giving some hope.

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) - recorded from Stubbs Green in 2021 after many years where notable by its absence

Lycaenidae (blues etc.)

Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) - easily overlooked but quite widespread around Shotesham, this species tends to favour the tops of larger oak trees and is best detected by using binoculars to see them in flight from the end of June and throughout July. With luck, they can be seen lower down on rare occasions. Has been noted in at least six locations, and likely present throughout. 

White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album) - an elusive species, but one photographed on Chapel Lane in July 2022. Should be sought around elms.

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) - easily overlooked but noted most years in a range of locations around the village, including the Common and Stubbs Green but also along field margins and in gardens on occasion. Can be seen between late May and late August in two generations. This species has expanded strongly in recent years. Caterpillars will be feeding on a range of smaller Cranesbills.

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) - never abundant but occurs widely around the village, particularly on the Common where it lays its eggs on Common Sorrel. Flies in two generations per year, in May-June and late July-September.

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) - particularly common in gardens, although numbers vary each year. First generation flies from late March to June, laying its eggs on Holly. The next generation flies from July to September and lays its eggs on Ivy.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) - quite localised around the village (less common than Holly Blue) but can be found widely including (but not limited to) Stubbs Green and the Common. Flies from May to August in two generations, the caterpillars feeding on Bird's-foot Trefoil (drier areas) and Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil (damp areas).

Other species to look for:

[Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)] - a second-hand report of one along Grub Street in 2020 which is worth checking out; gorse does occur along here]