Illustration of butterflies by L.M. Budgen from Episodes of Insect Life

Butterflies and their pupal cases shown against a decorative burst of sunrays emerging from behind dark clouds and within a floral border.

All are British species or visitors, including (clockwise from lower left): the Peacock Aglais io; the Small copper Lycaena phlaeas including its underwing at the very apex of the group; the Common blue Polyommatus Icarus including its underwing; the Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines; the Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni; the Purple hairstreak Favonius quercus; the Silver-washed fritillary Argynnis paphia; the Meadow brown Maniola jurtina; the Small white Pieris rapae; and the Red admiral Vanessa atalanta; with the Swallowtail Papilio machaon placed towards the centre of the whole group.

Frontispiece of the book Episodes of insect life by Acheta Domestica (pseud., Miss L.M. Budgen], first series (Reeve, Benham and Reeve, London, 1849).