Real's Ireland

Northern Ireland has 25 butterfly species, and 996 species of moth.

Broadleaved woodland has the greatest diversity of moth species, while unimproved grassland is home to the widest variety of butterflies.

Bogs, heaths and moorland are great habitats for both butterflies and moths, as are brownfield sites, which are important refuges for butterfly species such as the Wall and the Common Blue.

There are two species of Wood White butterfly in Ireland: Real's Wood White and the Wood White. Réal's Wood White was only discovered in 2001. It has only been confirmed in Ireland, making it the only butterfly in Northern Ireland not found in the rest of Britain.

Other key butterfly species include the Large Heath, found on lowland raised bogs in the north and west, and the Marsh Fritillary, which has recently been found on several new breeding sites in Co. Tyrone and Co. Fermanagh.

The Argent & Sable moth can be found in Co. Fermanagh, which is also home to the only know site for the Irish Plume Moth.