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Just had a butterfly in my house!

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  • 29-12-2010 2:55pm
    #1
    Mollywolly
    Registered Users Posts: 566 ✭✭✭


    Something really weird just happened. Went out into the hall and frantically trying to get out was a tortoiseshell butterfly, like this:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35847324@N00/181532788/

    You wouldn't normally expect to see them at this time of the year I'm sure, so I can only assume that it hatched inside the house somewhere. I'm completely flabbergasted but thrilled at the same time. He brought a little bit of summer into the house - beautiful creature!

    I had a moral dilemma though because I couldn't keep him in the house and yet if I let him out, he would die because of the cold. I decided I had to let him go, so caught him on my hand where he stayed for a few seconds while I opened the door and, as soon as he saw daylight, he was off.

    Absolutely made my day :)


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    #2
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    They hibernate as an adult, so from that perspective not a huge surprise. A lot to hibernate in homes and then with heating they stir in winter.

    I think a good possibility that it may return to hibernation, hopefully it hasn't used up too much reserves, though whether it'll escape the very hungry birds....

    and yes a joy to see :)


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    #3
    Mollywolly
    Registered Users Posts: 566 ✭✭✭Mollywolly


    Oh God, I forgot about the birds! Mind you, I keep the birds in my garden well-fed, especially at this time of year, so hopefully they'll ignore him and he'll make it to a safe haven.

    Thanks Mothman.


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    #4
    littlebug
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭littlebug


    That's a nice December surprise :)

    I saw a ladybird in my garden this morning which similarly took me by surprise!


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    #5
    Jenroche
    Registered Users Posts: 280 ✭✭Jenroche


    Funny you should mention that Littlebug. My daughter found a ladybird on the sofa on Sunday and insisted she'd seen it come off the Christmas tree. We let it climb back on there but haven't seen it since.


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    #6
    littlebug
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭littlebug


    Jen have you seen the Harlequin ladybird thread.
    It's worth having a look just in case. I'm 95% sure mine was a regular 7 spot ladybird but by the time I got the camera it was gone.

    Sorry for taking the thread OT from butterflies.


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    #7
    wildlifeman
    Registered Users Posts: 91 ✭✭wildlifeman


    I have seen both in the last 24 hours, its the 11 degrees, they must be thinking its Spring..They'll be in for a sharp shock soon enough.


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    #8
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    A lot! of moths in the trap this morning. There are a few species that fly during winter. It is normal to see moths during the winter, especially duirng mild spells and Winter Moth is very obvious in car headlights.


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    #9
    Wild_Dogger
    Registered Users Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭Wild_Dogger


    Where I work with antiques, I often see butterflies come off the back of old sideboards and chests of drawers etc . at weird times of the year .
    So Maybe the OP shifted a bit of furniture around in the house for christmas ??


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