The June Gap

There is usually a gap between the spring butterflies (Orange Tips, Brimstone, Peacocks etc) and the emergence of the summer species, like this Ringlet, the Heaths, the Blues, and the Meadow Browns, Skippers etc.

Some naturalists call it the June Gap. But, there is always overlap with spring butterflies lingering well into June and summer ones making an early appearance. In fact, the June Gap is #deceivedwisdom, as there are commonly more butterflies out and about in June than in the spring or later in the summer. Although, there is a decline in the numbers and diversity of the spring species and the summer species won’t reach their peak until later, but added together diversity is usually greatest in June.