Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is urging the British public to look out for painted lady butterflies, whose numbers are at a once-in-a-decade high this month. The distinctive orange insects with black-and-white markings are typically found in open, sunny places with lots of nectar-rich flowers, including gardens, coasts, meadows, parks and allotments.
Record numbers expected
The number of painted ladies in the UK can swing dramatically year to year, depending on weather and breeding success further south, and whether winds help carry them north. While there were reports of just 15,856 painted ladies last year, there were more than 420,000 in 2019. Currently, this year's numbers are higher than they were at the same point in 2019.
People have taken to social media to report sightings. On X, one Brit posted: "We just saw this painted lady butterfly in our yard. She’s beautiful!" A second said: "The painted ladies have arrived." Just this week, another UK resident commented: "There were lots of painted ladies today looking very fresh." And a fourth added: "I spotted painted ladies on my hike last weekend and it made the whole walk."
How to take part
Sightings have been reported from across the UK – from Dumfries in Scotland to London's Richmond Park and the Essex countryside. To do your bit in the Big Butterfly Count, spend 15-minute intervals outdoors keeping a track of which insects visit. The count runs until August 9. For more information, visit the official website.
