Butterflies

The recent fine weather systems pulling warm air up from the continent seem to have brought migrant butterflies into Cornwall. We’ve seen several Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) (above left) and a few Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) (above right) in most places we’ve been to in the last two weeks.

Insight: The migration of butterflies into the UK from the continent occurs in variable numbers annually depending on the weather systems. In some years millions of the common migrant species such as Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) cross the English Channel and spread throughout the UK reaching even the far north of Scotland and the Shetland Islands.

Other Butterfly Sightings

Butterfly Galleries