Painted lady butterfly count: Why you should count these butterflies as UK hit by influx
PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLIES could flock to Britain in their millions this summer. Here’s why you should count them if there is a huge influx to the UK
Painted lady butterflies are a normal sight in Britain during the summer months. But once every decade the UK experiences a huge influx of the bewinged creatures from Europe. This is why you should count them if they arrive en masse.
The UK Butterfly Conservation charity has recorded exceptionally high numbers of painted lady butterflies arriving in Britain this summer.
The organisation is urging volunteers to help count them to see whether this year is a “painted lady summer.”
The last time Britain experienced a mass painted lady migration was in 2008, when a jaw-dropping 11 million were recorded in the UK.
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Butterfly Conservation vice president and TV presenter Chris Packham has described the phenomenon as “one of the wonders of the natural world”.
According to Mr Packham the creatures fly 7,500-miles during their annual migration from Africa to the Artic Circle and back.
A high number of recorded sightings in Europe this year is a “promising” sign that large numbers of the species could come to the UK this summer.
Britons are urged to take part in the Big Butterfly Count from today (July 19) until August 11.
The campaign encourages people to spend more time in nature and highlights the positive impact spending time outdoors can have on one’s mental health.
To take part in the Big Butterfly count wildlife watchers are asked to spend 15 minutes outdoors in the sun, anywhere in Britain.
You can submit painted lady butterfly sightings via the big butterfly count app.
How to spot a painted lady butterfly
According to the butterfly conservation website painted ladies like dry open areas, but can be seen anywhere in a good year.
They have distinctive orange, brown and black-tipped wings with white black and white spots.
They are the furthest spread species of butterfly in the world and their larvae eat thistle plants.