Butterfly’s revival hopes soar in the heat
● UK naturalists predict common blue could have its best summer
A blue butterfly which has been struggling for the last 40 years could be making a comeback in Scotland thanks to the hot summer, experts have said.
The common blue is the most widespread of the UK’S blue butterflies and during the record-breaking hot weather in 2018, its numbers increased by 29 per cent across Scotland compared with the year before.
Now, with the UK experiencing another heatwave and the Met Office forecasting continued warm weather for Scotlandthroughout august, naturalists are predicting the common blue could have its best summer.
They are also keen to see if 2019 really has been a socalled “painted lady summer” – a once-in-a-decade butterfly phenomenon when millions of painted lady butterflies arrive en masse from Europe and Africa.
People across the UK counted more than 30,000 in just two days last week, with the majority of sightings recorded in Scotland and great clouds of painted lady butterflies being seen across the country since then.
People are being asked to look for the common blue and painted lady and record their sightings as part of the Big Butterfly Count.
The common blue is not typically found in gardens, preferring unimproved grassland such as downland, woodland clearings, heathland and even sand dunes.
Senior surveys officer at Butterfly Conservation Dr Zoe Randle said: “People should be able to spot these butterflies in many places, especially where the wildflower common bird’s foot trefoil is found, as this is the main food plant for their caterpillars.
“The common blue did really well in Scotland last year and just a few weeks ago, near Butterfly Conservation’s Wester Moss reserve in Stirling, we counted hundreds of them in just one day.
“Temperatures will stay warm, which means, when the sun does come out, this butterfly will still be found flying in good numbers across the country, especially in eastern parts, which could see the best of the warm weather to come.
“If people take part in the Big Butterfly Count, we’ll have a much better idea of whether this butterfly’s fortunes have turned around or if the common blue still needs our help.
“We’re also keen for people to keep recording any painted lady sightings, as this could be a record year for them, so keep counting and we’ll reveal the total number after 11 August.” Common blue males have unmarked, bright blue upper wings, but females have orange crescents and dark spots near the outer edges on a ground colour that varies from purple-blue to dark brown, with a mere tinge of blue near the body.