Butterflies paint a picture as naturalists report a once-in-a-decade mass migration
● People urged to take part in annual insect survey
The UK could be experiencing a once-in-a-decade wildlife phenomenon this year with a mass influx of Painted Lady butterflies, experts have said.
TV naturalist Chris Packham is urging people to take part in the world’s largest insect citizen science survey, the annual Big Butterfly Count, to see if the painted ladies are arriving in their millions to the UK’S shores this year.
The butterfly is a common immigrant from the continent to the UK each summer where its caterpillars feed on thistles, but around once every ten years there is a painted lady “summer” when millions arrive en masse.
More than 70 Painted Lady butterflies have been seen along the Scottish coast from Aberdeen to Inverness.
Both of Scotland’s largest cities have featured sightings, with 33 in Edinburgh and more than 20 in Glasgow. The butterflies have also been spotted near places like Dumfries, the Isle of Tiree and Islay.
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, which runs the Big Butterfly Count, said unusually high numbers had been reported across Europe over the spring and early summer with large numbers now spotted crossing to the UK.
The last mass immigration took place in 2008 when around 11 million painted ladies migrated to the UK.
Mr Packham, who is vicepresident of Butterfly Conservation, said the painted lady migration was “one of the wonders of the natural world”.
“Travelling up to 1km in the sky and at speeds of up to 30 mph, these seemingly fragile creatures migrate hundreds of miles to reach our shores each year,” he said.
“This butterfly undertakes an extraordinary 7,500-mile round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle every year, almost double the length of the famous migrations of the Monarch butterfly in North America.
“Signs across Europe are looking very promising, meaning that 2019 could be a very good year for the Paintperspective,
TV naturalist and presenter ed Lady with high numbers already being recorded across parts of the UK.
“The butterfly can turn up anywhere, so please take part in the Big Butterfly Count and look out for them. You could be witnessing a once-in-a-decade butterfly phenomenon.”
Participants are encouraged to spot and record 17 species of common butterfly, including painted ladies, and two dayflying moths in the UK during three weeks of high summer, to help experts see how the insects are faring.
Experts also say taking part in the count has benefits for those participating, with research showing watching wildlife and spending time in nature can have positive benefits for mental health and wellbeing.
Mr Packham said: “The mental health benefits of spending time outdoors watching nature have been blindingly obvious to me for as long as I can remember.
“Immersing yourself in nature, even if it’s just for a few short minutes, changes your it helps you slow down and notice what’s going on around you and it opens a door to the overlooked beauty and drama of our natural world.”
To take part in the count, which runs from today to 11 August, people just need to find a sunny spot anywhere in the UK and spend 15 minutes counting the butterflies they see before submitting the sightings online or using the count mobile app.
“This butterfly undertakes an extraordinary 7,500mile round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle every year”
CHRIS PACKHAM