A butterfly species believed to have vanished from England over 60 years ago is showing signs of breeding in Kent.
The large tortoiseshell butterfly, once common in the UK, disappeared in the 1960s, possibly due to Dutch elm disease, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Now, over 30 have been spotted in Kent woodland this year.
“They’re living proof that eco systems can recover if they’re given the chance,” said conservationist William Malpas.
Ecologist Annabel Yapp and Mr. Malpas, both involved with Butterfly Conservation, were astonished to encounter a large tortoiseshell in the wild.
“It was in 2022, a really difficult time for us actually, we’d just lost a close friend,” said Mr Malpas.
“Annabel suggested we went for a walk to clear our minds. I saw this butterfly flying towards us and said ‘that’s a large tortoiseshell’.”
Ms Yapp said: “I didn’t believe him. Where on earth could they have come from? But he was right, there it was.”
The pair have observed more butterflies each year and recently discovered a large tortoiseshell caterpillar in Blean Woods nature reserve, indicating a potential resurgence.
“The most important thing about them is that butterflies are an indicator of the health of a place,” said Mr Malpas.
“We can’t definitely say that this is a sustained population yet, but we’re definitely on the way to that if this continues over the next few years.”
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