Every year, large numbers of moths and butterflies arrive in our shores from further south. It seems that these numbers are increasing, a change that has been linked with climate change.

One of the most spectacular events of recent years was the mass migration of Painted Lady butterflies from north Africa up through Europe, across England, Wales and Scotland and out at the other end across the north Atlantic where thousands must have perished in the sea, but a small number even reached Iceland and Greenland.  

DNH&AS Reports VOLUME 105, 1983. WEBB N.R.& THOMAS J.A. pp. 173-174
'Natural History Reports 1983....The Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) in Dorset during 1983'.
Description of the best year in Dorset for Clouded Yellow records since 1949; includes distribution map and figures showing results of transect counts.Click here to read this.

DNH&AS Reports VOLUME 107, 1985. WEBB N.R. p.197`Natural History Reports...The Spring Immigration of the Painted Lady Butterfly (Cynthia cardui) to Dorset in 1985'.
Includes a figure showing numbers sighted on each day in April and their relationship to weather conditions. Click here to read this report.