About the Butterflies

Central Sweden offers a good variety of Butterflies, in fact around 85 of Sweden´s 120 species can be seen here, although not at the same time. Flying periods are essential to know when it comes to seeing the species you want.

When to see…
At least from early May – some years even late April – it´s possible to see plenty of Green Hairstreaks, Holly Blues and Camberwell Beauties. Along with them of course more common Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstones, Commas and Peacocks.
A bit later Northern Wall Browns, Grizzled– and Dingy Skippers, appear along the forest tracks together with Orangetips, Wood White and Real´s Wood White. The later part of May offers Northern Chequered Skipper, Common Swallowtails and Marsh Fritillaries, all in the same areas where we go birdwatching. A couple of more good species fly on nearby localities in mid – late May. They do however need extra effort and an extra day or two since they fly a little bit outside or regular birding routes. Chequered Blue, Duke of Burgundy Fritillary and Freja´s Fritillary are all rare, but regular in small numbers on a couple of good sites nearby. Add an extra day or two on your visit if you want to give them a try with our guides!

June
June is the best time for good Scandinavian specialities like Frigga´s Fritillary, Scarce– and Marsh Fritillary, Glanville–, Bog–, False Heath Fritillary and more.
From mid June it´s also the best time to see fresh specimen of large and beautiful Poplar Admirals.
In coniferous areas Moorland Clouded Yellows have started to fly, soon to be followed by an abundance of Blues and Fritillaries.
On our excursions to the province Uppland we visit the Baltic coast where Glanville Fritillaries and Clouded Apollos have their mainland stronghold. This is also the southern limit for Large Grizzled Skipper and Silvery Argus. June is also the right time for Black-veined White, Scarce Heath ad Purple-edged Copper. From late June Large Blues are on their wings and the big variety of Blues (with more than 10 species to be seen in a day) peaks with Mazarine–, Amanada´s–, Cranberry–, Ida´s  and Green–underside Blue, Geranium– and Northern Brown Argus.
The very rare Assman´s Fritillary fly from mid June to early July.

July
You need to get into July to see species like Niobe Fritillary and Apollo. In coniferous habitats Baltic Grayling, Cranberry Fritillary, Large Heath and Northern Grizzled Skippers can be found.
Scarce Copper fly throughout July and can be seen even in August. In late July the high summer generation of Camberwell Beauties hatch, together with the common hibernaters like Commas, Brimstones, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshell. They are good to see throughout August and a bit into September. The large Fritillaries like Queen of Spain–, Dark Green– High Brown– and Silver-washed are all on their wings, as well are Lesser Marbled– and Heath Fritillaries. Purple–, Brown– and White-letter Hairstreaks are mainly July– August flyers.

Odd and even years
Two species in the area only fly every second year. Arran Brown fly odd years and Baltic Grayling only fly even years. They fly from early July.

CHECK OUT OUR JUNE BUTTERFLY-TOURS
CHECK OUT OUR JULY BUTTERFLY-TOURS