A rare butterfly was spotted on the Isle of Wight this week and captured (digitally) by an enthusiastic photographer.
Mike Wilson of Ventnor told OnTheWight,
“It was a family friend, Val, who was the first to spot it. She knows I have always had a fascination with Native insects, so naturally I sprinted to the location and there it was! In all its glory.
“Possibly once in a life time sighting in my hometown, I was stoked to have seen it.”
The butterfly was first seen on Wednesday evening on Steephill Downs towards Ventnor Golf Club and captured again the next morning basking in the morning sun. Mike tells us that he’s been shooting wildlife as a hobby photographer for a few months using a Canon 600D.
Attempting to breed in UK
The Butterfly Conservation Society recently revealed that the Continental Swallowtail seems to be attempting to breed in the UK.
Michael Blencowe from Butterfly Conservation’s Sussex Branch has been monitoring the butterflies since they arrived last summer.
He explains:
“So far there have been 12 sightings of Swallowtails in Sussex this spring. Six of these have been seen to emerge from pupae we were monitoring; others have been seen in Peacehaven, Chichester, Chanctonbury Ring and Horsham.
“There are still more to emerge and no doubt many other Swallowtails that we don’t know about are roaming the country, so there has never been a more exciting time to head out looking for butterflies.
“This current invasion could be the start of the colonisation of Southern England by the Swallowtail. In 20 years this butterfly could be a regular visitor to our gardens.”
If you spot any Swallowtails on the Isle of Wight do register the sighting with the Butterfly Conservation Society by visiting their website.
