Rare butterfly spotted in Cornwall
It is believed to be one of only a handful of sightings recorded in England this year.
A rare European butterfly, the Queen of Spain fritillary, has been observed in Cornwall as milder temperatures encourage more migrant species to visit the United Kingdom, according to Eden Project staff. The sighting, observed by six-year-old Lola in the Outdoor Gardens, is believed to be one of only a few documented in England this year, confirmed by a Cornwall County recorder at Natural England.
Julie Kendall, outdoor horticulture manager at the Eden Project, emphasized the crucial role gardens play as transitional habitats for wildlife. While sporadic butterfly migrations occur annually, this particular species has yet to establish a consistent breeding population in the UK. Recent years have seen an increase in sightings of continental butterflies across southern England, a trend experts attribute to favorable weather conditions.
Lola expressed delight in witnessing this rare visitor, while her mother, Sarah, noted the educational value of the experience. Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, praised the discovery, highlighting the butterfly's beauty and rarity. He noted that butterflies thrive in hot and sunny weather but require robust habitats for long-term survival.
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