Animal guide—see if you can spot these late-summer butterflies in Finland!

Brimstone butterfly

Key identifying features: The male is yellow, and the female is very pale with a hint of green. Their wingspan is about 5 cm, with reddish-brown spots on both wings.

Occurrence: They are found throughout Finland, in both gardens and areas such as open forests and forest edges. They are active in early spring and from late July through early autumn, but inactive in midsummer.

Reproduction: They typically produce two generations per year. They overwinter as adults on the ground or in tree cavities.

Diet: The caterpillar feeds on buckthorn, and the adult sips nectar from sources such as willow blossoms.

In the garden: You might see a male and female chasing each other, which is soon followed by mating.

Gossamer-winged butterflies

Key identifying features: In Finland, there are around 20 species of gossamer-winged butterflies. Their upper wings are blue, and their undersides have beautiful spots. They are small, about two centimeters across.

Occurrence: The silver-studded blue butterfly is found almost as far north as Lapland, while the Arctic blue only lives in Lapland. Different species prefer different habitats.

Reproduction: The silver-studded blue lays its eggs in the flowers of its host plant. The caterpillar hatches in spring and secretes a sweet fluid that entices ants to protect it.

Diet: This depends on the species. They may feed on legumes, heather, bog bilberry, or blueberry.

In the garden: It’s worth pausing to admire a blue butterfly’s colors from different angles.

Elephant hawk moth

Key identifying features: Its coloring is greenish and bright pink. The wings are narrow, with a wingspan of 5–7 cm.

Occurrence: More common in the south, it’s the best known hawk moth in Finland. It flies from June to August, and sometimes a second generation appears in September.

Reproduction: Caterpillars grow through the summer and pupate underground in autumn. The beautiful adult emerges the following summer or the year after.

Diet: Caterpillars mostly feed on rosebay willowherb. Adults sip nectar in flight from plants such as lilac, tobacco, and martagon lilies.

In the garden: They fly at night. After sunset, you might spot them on lilacs.

Peacock butterfly

Key identifying features: Spectacular eye spots on both wings and a deep red overall color. Medium-sized at around 5 cm.

Occurrence: Found throughout Finland, more common in the south. Once a rare migrant, it now flies on rocky outcrops and along forest edges.

Reproduction: It has two generations per year and overwinters as an adult. It’s not quite as early-flying as the small tortoiseshell or brimstone butterfly.

Diet: The caterpillars usually feed on nettles, sometimes on hops, often in clusters of several dozen.

In the garden: In some summers, their numbers can surge and you might see multiple individuals on the same flower.

Red admiral

Key identifying features: Large, with a wingspan of up to 6.5 cm. Dark brownish-black base color, orange-red bands, and white spots near the wing tips.

Occurrence: Found across Finland, but less common in the north. Not a permanent breeder in Finland; it migrates each year, sometimes from Southern Europe. Usually seen in spring and late summer, though it can appear from May to October.

Reproduction: It overwinters in Finland only in rare cases. Those arriving in spring lay eggs, which develop into the autumn generation.

Diet: Caterpillars feed on nettles. Adults drink nectar and tree sap.

In the garden: You can often spot them on fallen apples.

Small tortoiseshell

Key identifying features: A medium-sized day-flying butterfly with brick-red coloring, dark furry wing bases, and a black underside on the hindwings.

Occurrence: Common across Finland in meadows, fields, yards, and gardens. It flies early in spring and early summer, with a second generation from July onward.

Reproduction: It overwinters as an adult. The tattered spring individuals mate and lay eggs for the second generation.

Diet: The caterpillar feeds only on nettles. Adults sip nectar and sap, often seen on tansy and thistles.

In the garden: Try watching for territories established by the males.