Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

'Extinct' butterfly species reappears in UK
BBC ^ | June 04, 2023 | By Frank Gardner

Posted on 06/05/2023 1:05:54 PM PDT by Red Badger

Blink and you could miss them - but mysterious sightings of an extremely rare butterfly have set the hearts of enthusiasts fluttering.

The species, previously described as extinct in Britain for nearly 100 years, has suddenly appeared in countryside on the edge of London.

Small numbers of black-veined whites have been spotted flying in fields and hedgerows in south-east London.

To the non-expert, they could easily be mistaken for the common or garden cabbage white butterflies seen in Britain every summer.

But there's nothing common about the black-veined white on this side of the Channel.

First listed as a British species during the reign of King Charles II, they officially became extinct in Britain in 1925.

This month they have mysteriously appeared among their favourite habitat: hawthorn and blackthorn trees on the edge of London, where I and other naturalists watched them flitting between hedgerows.

As their name suggests, they are a medium-sized white butterfly with distinctive black vein markings on their wings.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Gardening; History; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: blackthorn; hawthorn; kingcharlesii; unitedkingdom
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last

1 posted on 06/05/2023 1:05:54 PM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“unexpectedly appear.....”


2 posted on 06/05/2023 1:07:10 PM PDT by mikelets456
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Interesting, I wonder why they suddenly reappeared?


3 posted on 06/05/2023 1:09:04 PM PDT by jimwatx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jimwatx
Interesting, I wonder why they suddenly reappeared?

I truly hope it's because of Global Climate Change ... and then watch the environmentalists' heads explode.

4 posted on 06/05/2023 1:10:35 PM PDT by BlueLancer (Orchides Forum Trahite - Cordes Et Mentes Veniant)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: jimwatx

Their population was so small that they couldn’t be found.

Then as their numbers grew, they ‘suddenly reappeared’...........


5 posted on 06/05/2023 1:10:56 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

It could be a sign or omen that the end is near.


6 posted on 06/05/2023 1:11:24 PM PDT by Maine Mariner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Yeah that’s the most likely scenario. But not to see any for almost 100 years is a pretty long time for nobody to notice any around.


7 posted on 06/05/2023 1:16:09 PM PDT by jimwatx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

8 posted on 06/05/2023 1:18:12 PM PDT by Telepathic Intruder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

If extinct butterflies are coming back, can pterodactyls be far behind?


9 posted on 06/05/2023 1:21:59 PM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN

I think we would have noticed.................


10 posted on 06/05/2023 1:23:47 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

11 posted on 06/05/2023 1:26:40 PM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Not much of an extinction is it?


12 posted on 06/05/2023 1:39:10 PM PDT by xp38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jimwatx

Because Charles III, of course.


13 posted on 06/05/2023 1:41:40 PM PDT by Afterguard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

14 posted on 06/05/2023 1:42:22 PM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jimwatx

Maybe they were a sub species due to a mutation of a more common butterfly.
Population grew, and then died for whatever reason.
If the mutation reoccured somewhere, they could reappear.


15 posted on 06/05/2023 1:42:39 PM PDT by SPDSHDW (Ron DeSantis. The latest GOPe champion in a long list of winners. Jeb! Mitt Romney, and John McStain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Magnum44
'Barburraaaa Barburraaaa kirai no hito!'


16 posted on 06/05/2023 1:45:14 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: mikelets456

Haven’t you heard?

Every time an mRNA vexxationation victim dies suddenly, a Black-veined White gets its wings.


17 posted on 06/05/2023 1:56:06 PM PDT by one guy in new jersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: xp38

They were just pining for the fjords.


18 posted on 06/05/2023 1:56:56 PM PDT by one guy in new jersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: one guy in new jersey

The plumage don’t enter into it.


19 posted on 06/05/2023 1:58:15 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN

20 posted on 06/05/2023 2:02:08 PM PDT by csvset (tolerance becomes a crime when attached to evil)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson