Rare butterfly is back in Wales

One of Europe’s most threatened butterflies has been discovered on a site in Wales where it has not been seen for more than 50 years.

Butterfly Conservation found marsh fritillary caterpillars breeding at its Median Farm Nature Reserve at Cross Hands, Carm, for the first time since the Sixties.

The wildlife charity has been working hard on restoring the site for the past five years, particularly aiming to increase the growth of devil’s-bit scabious – the food plant of the caterpillars.

Marsh fritillaries – which have declined by 71 per cent across Wales in the past 30 years – are easily identifiable with their yellow, orange and brown-coloured wings more brightly patterned than those of other fritillaries. The caterpillars also spin webs that are easy to find in late summer.