Rare Butterfly Not Seen In UK For 50 Years Survives Winter For First Time In History

Wildlife enthusiasts were delighted to find a butterfly species that hasn’t been seen in Britain for 50 years has survived winter for the first time in history.

The yellow-legged tortoiseshell - native to Eastern Europe, China and Japan - arrived in East Anglia last summer from Europe, but scientists were skeptical that it would survive the winter.

But conservationists have already seen one this Spring at Holt Country Park in Norfolk - meaning it has successfully hibernated.

The Butterfly Conservation charity said it was the first of the species to have made it through the UK winter since records began more than 300 years ago.

The species is native to Eastern Europe, China and Japan and the only previous recorded sighting in the UK was in 1953 in Kent when it did not survive.
Paul Ingham, countryside and park manager at Holt County Park, said: ‘We are very pleased they have appeared now and I would love them to be permanent residents here in the UK.
‘The butterfly prefers very cold winters and we weren't sure if any would survive our mild season.
‘If more emerge as we head into spring, 2015 could see the first UK-born Scarce Tortoiseshells on record.’