What happened: The large tortoiseshell butterfly, thought extinct in the UK for many years, has been spotted again across several southern counties this spring. Conservation groups report it is now a resident species once more.
Why it matters:
- The return increases the UK's native butterfly species count to 60, marking a positive sign for biodiversity.
- It highlights the importance of habitat conservation in supporting the recovery of rare and local wildlife.
MNN Take: The sightings suggest suitable conditions for the large tortoiseshell's survival have improved, allowing it to re-establish populations in parts of southern England.
Sources: Guardian UK