'Extinct' butterfly found across southern England

A butterfly officially classed as extinct in the UK has been seen at sites across southern England, says a conservation charity.

In recent weeks there have been a flurry of sightings of the large tortoiseshell in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Cornwall.

It has led Butterfly Conservation to declare the large tortoiseshell a resident breeding species in the country once again, as opposed to a migratory one.

The species was once found across England and Wales, but was last recorded as a breeding species in the UK in the 1980s.

Adults lay their eggs on elm trees and their decline has been linked to the spread of Dutch elm disease across Europe in the 20th Century.

There have been rare sightings over the years since it was declared extinct, but they are becoming increasingly common with 20 reported in recent days.

Prof Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: "We don't know why the butterfly was lost from Britain, so it's difficult to know why it has come back as well, but it's likely to be the climate that is pushing those increased numbers across its European range and we are benefitting."

One large tortoiseshell was spotted in woodland near Ashford, Kent by Trevor Collett.

A keen conservationist, he drove more than 90 minutes from his Surrey home with the sole purpose of seeing one.

After five hours of trekking he said "I was about to give up and then walked down another path and found it."

He said there was "degree of elation" at seeing one and he watched it for 15 minutes before it flew off.

Butterfly Conservation says the the increased sightings are good news at a time of wider butterfly decline.

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