Painted lady butterfly influx needs people to count them

A potential mass influx of butterflies to the UK has led to calls for volunteers to help count them.

The painted lady butterfly commonly flies to the UK during the summer months, but every 10 years millions arrive in a mass migration.

Butterfly Conservation said unusually high numbers of painted ladies had been spotted flying from Europe to the UK.

The charity urged people to take part in an annual count to see if this year marks a “painted lady summer”.

About 11 million painted ladies arrived in the UK the last time the phenomenon happened in 2008.

Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, who is vice president of Butterfly Conservation, described the mass migration as “one of the wonders of the natural world”.

He said the butterfly flies at speeds of up to 30mph on its “extraordinary” 7,500-mile (12,070km) annual journey from Africa to the Arctic Circle and back.

Mr Packham said the high number of reported sightings of the painted lady across Europe over the spring and early summer meant it was “promising” that 2019 “could be a very good year” for the species.

The Big Butterfly Count begins on Friday and runs until 11 August.

To take part in the world’s biggest butterfly count people must spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot anywhere in the UK, counting the butterflies they see before submitting sightings online or via the app.

Participants are encouraged to spot and record 17 species of common butterfly and two day-flying moths.

Britain’s most common butterflies and how to spot them

Speckled wood: Look for dark brown wings with cream spots. The butterfly has spread in recent years – an extraordinary “success story” in response to climate change, says Butterfly Conversation – and can be found in East Anglia, the Midlands, much of northern England and some parts of Scotland.

Speckled wood butterfly — Image caption Speckled wood

Comma: The comma used to only breed in southern Britain but is now found as far north as central Scotland, with some even crossing the sea to colonise Ireland, says the Woodland Trust. Its wings are orange and brown with deep scallops, giving “an almost ragged appearance”.

Bathed in sunshine, a Comma butterfly on a Hemp Agrimony at Painswick Rococo Garden in Painswick, Gloucestershire. — Image caption Comma butterfly

Common blue: This is the most widespread blue butterfly in Britain, according to Butterfly Conservation. The males are blue, while the colour of the females varies from nearly completely brown to predominantly blue.

Holly blue: This is different from the Common Blue as it does not have orange dots on the underside of its wings. It is widespread in the south of the UK but spreading northwards.

Brimstone butterfly: Yellow wings for the males – which is how it is suggested the “butterfly” could have got its name – and pale green for the females. It’s spread in recent years, mainly in northern England, Butterfly Conservation says.

Peacock: The peacock – found throughout the UK – is distinguished by its eye-spot patterns, which is uses to scare off predators by flicking open its wings.

Butterfly Conservation handout photo of a peacock butterfly, as conservationists have warned that many of the UK"s common and garden butterfly species could be in decline — Image caption Peacock butterfly

Red admiral: Found anywhere in Britain and in all habitats, these have dark brown wings with a band of orange or red. After hibernating, each spring they migrate northwards, with many crossing the sea to the UK from Europe.

Red Admiral Butterfly — Image caption Red admiral butterfly

Large white: Look out for white wings and black tips and, for females, two spots on the upper side of each wing. It is common throughout Britain although many gardeners consider them pests as the caterpillars severely damage Brassica crops, says the RSPB.

Small white: Similar to the large white but obviously smaller, this has brilliant white wings with one or two wing spots. It is found in a range of habitats including gardens and particularly allotments where cabbages are growing, says Butterfly Conservation.

Small tortoiseshell: These are widespread and found throughout Britain. It’s bright orange and black with blue markings around the edges of the wing.

Meadow brown: This is the most abundant species in many habitats, with hundreds together at some areas. It is brown with an orange patch on each wing around a black eye spot.

Gatekeeper: This is often seen alongside the meadow brown (above), but is more orange with a brown edge around the wings.

The Gatekeeper butterfly — Image caption Gatekeeper butterfly

Ringlet: Another brown butterfly, the ringlet’s appearance has been described as “velvety” and is almost black with rings on its wings. It has spread across England and Scotland in recent years.