In May, Søparken’s western clearing can offer an unusually close look into butterfly life. On the stinging nettles, the larvae of the small tortoiseshell can sit in large groups, and it has previously been estimated that there are around 300-500 larvae at the site. It is an experience that calls for slow steps and eyes close to the plants.
The larvae are dark, bristly and spiny and may look tougher than they are. They are not poisonous or dangerous, but they should be left in peace. Look, take photos and be careful not to step into the nettles, where larvae may be sitting on leaves and stems.
The adult small tortoiseshell is a familiar garden butterfly with orange-red wings, colorful spots and a more gray-brown underside that acts as camouflage when the wings are closed. The larvae feed on stinging nettles, and that is precisely why the somewhat unpopular plant is worth leaving in place in some areas. Without nettles, the larvae’s food source disappears, and then there will be fewer adult butterflies on nectar flowers later in the year.
Mellem græs og lave sommerblomster hviler en brun engrandøje i juli-solen. De gule blomster og friske blade giver læ og farve omkring sommerfuglen, som er let at overse, når den sidder stille. Et roligt naturglimt fra Oplevelser i nærheden
Engrandøje falder godt i ét med tørre græsstrå og brune nuancer, når den sidder med lukkede vinger
Den lilla gederams står skarpt i sollyset, mens de grønne blade danner en rolig baggrund. I juli er blomstringen tydelig og let at få øje på langs stier, lysninger og andre steder blandt oplevelser i nærheden
Gederams er let at kende på de høje spir med klare rosa-lilla blomster i sommertiden
The nodding purple flowers sit fresh among large, rough leaves, while summer-green thicket closes in around the small bridge. In June, comfrey is growing vigorously and around flowering time, giving the wild edge of Ansager Søpark a dense, lush character
Comfrey’s bell-shaped flowers are often visited by bees and bumblebees in early summer
De små lilla blomster sidder tæt i aks over græsset og viser almindelig brunella midt i sommerblomstringen. I juli kan planten dukke op i lave, grønne partier langs stier og åbne steder, som man let kan overse på ture i nærheden
Almindelig brunella er lavtvoksende, så blomsterne ses bedst, når man kommer tæt ned på græsset
The dark burnet sits quietly on the thistle’s purple flowers and feeds in the summer warmth. In July, thistles are important nectar sources for many insects, and in the green grass the flower heads stand out clearly with a visit from the six-spot burnet
The red spots on the wings make the six-spot burnet easy to identify in the field
De hvide blomster fra storblomstret vandranunkel ligger tæt ved vandløbets kant, mens græsset står frodigt langs bredden. I juli er blomstringen tydelig, og ved Ansager Å giver planterne et lyst, levende præg til det rolige sommervand
Storblomstret vandranunkel ses ofte som lyse blomsterpletter i strømmende vand i sommermånederne
