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RECORDING BUTTERFLIES IN AN IPSWICH GARDEN, 1980-1993 RICHARD G. STEWART As a prelude to summarising data from the ongoing 1994 'Suffolk Garden Butterfly Survey' it seemed appropriate to analyse the butterfly records from our garden, which is essentially 'suburban', at the town end of Belstead Road, only an eight-minute walk from the Railway Station. The garden is about '/sth acre, mostly south-facing, and with very little deep shade early in spring. It has a 'wild' section and a small pond, plus many well-established trees and shrubs. It is in an area where almost all the gardens are fairly large and well established. Madge Payne describes a 'butterfly-hostile' garden as being: "A cold, windswept, overshadowed garden which faces north and is planted with rhododendrons, roses, lilies and gladioli." (Payne, 1987). In contrast, the ideal butterfly garden is described by Margaret Vickery in the following terms: "It should face in all directions, should be large, mainly open to the sun but sheltered, and grow at least 20 different nectar-producing plants. The garden should be in a rural Situation and be near a wild habitat." (Vickery, 1993). Our garden meets most of Vickery's criteria though the nearest 'wild' habitat is about one mile away, on either side of the Belstead Brook above Bourne Park. There is a wealth of tall and sheltering trees and we do not use insecticides, preferring to dissuade greenfly and the like with jets of soapy water. Between 1980 and 1993 we recorded 18 species of butterfly, which is nearly one-third of the British list. The Butterfly Survey sheet lists 30 species, but includes rare visitors like the Silver-studded Blue. Within our garden we have had two-thirds of the butterfly-attracting plants listed in the County Survey sheet, i.e. 26 out of 39, though L. Hugh Newman in his pioneeering book lists 49 species, some of which are classified as 'wild flowers' (Newman, 1967). Butterflies which overwinter as adults (perhaps using our dilapidated shed, large woodpile, garage, or the deep fissures in the bark of our old fruit trees) desperately need a ready source of nectar. In early spring our garden offers Aubretia (Aubrieta deltoidea), Arabis (Arabis albida) and the Primulas, but we also make room for Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) and carpets of Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum), both of which are excellent for attracting early butterflies. The advice to include the Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) in a 'butterfly garden' needs to stress the need for the bed to be extensive, in a sunny position, and cut in early July to encourage the Red Admiral and the second brood of the Small Tortoiseshell. The presence of Stinging Nettles in our garden has not led to any egg-laying. Honesty (Lunaria sp.), which is also abundant in our garden, has led to both Brimstone and Orange Tip settling . Other flowers present in our garden in spring and early summer include Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), Phlox, Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) and Candy Tuft (Iberis sp.). Although our herb garden is not in fĂźll sunlight the different mints, Thyme (Thymus sp.) and Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) all attract butterflies. Marjoram is considered second only to Buddleia as the most important 'nectar plant' (Vickery, 1993). Recently we introduced a bramble (Rubus fruticosus) to attract Large and Small White, Peacocks and Gatekeepers. In the Coming year the blackberries may also Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 30 (1994)