Help identifying butterfly

[Catso]

Well, I think it's a butterfly, it had butterfly-shaped wings, and flew like a butterfly, so I don't think it was a moth.

I've never seen one before and I've had a look through loads of UK butterfly websites, but I can't find anything like it. So, you never know, there could be an AB butterfly expert out there...

It was small, about 3-4 cm wingspan, flying in the typical butterfly manner. I only saw the top side of it; this was all black (or so dark brown it looked black) except for one spot on each wing, in the bottom half. The amazing thing was the colour of the spots - a dazzling, almost flourescent, (very) bright pink. Looked completely artificial!

[orange-gnome]

I saw one that sounds a bit similar... except it was like a flourescent red... if there is such a thing! Mostly red with some black bits, had thick black edges to the wings and a black spot on each wing. I have never seen one of these before and it was absolutely gorgeous! Sorry no help identifying yours but just wanted to share ; )

[Jay_Jay]

Just wondering, Catso, if it was a European, not British species. Come over from the Continent via the warm air we have at the moment. (Two questions: Did it have 'furry/feathery' antenna? = moth; or normal, rounded at the end antenna? = butterfly). Really can't be of more help than that, sorry. Sounds lovely, though!

[Catso]

I should have said where I was: the Peak District, Derbyshire.
Might have come from the continent, but it's an awful long way!
Antenna: no idea, it wasn't around long enough to get a good look.

[burnhal]

a lot of butterfly colours look incredibly bright if seen in sunshine and often lead you to misread the colours. I can think of no butterfly that fits your description- nearest would be the white letter hairstreak which is all brown but with a bright orange trailing edge to the lower wing. Its called white letter because of a white marking on the underwing resembling a letter W