| The news about UK butterflies is, in the main, depressing with general decline throughout. The Comma, is however, a success story. It used to be confined to southern parts of the UK but is now found widely, if sparsely, across a good part of Scotland. This fresh individual was photographed in North Perthshire earlier this month. The reason for the increase is twofold. Firstly is is responding to climate change allowing it to benefit from a warmer Scotland (doesn't feel it today). The other reason is more intriguing. that it has been able to switch food plant. Previously it preferred hop but this is no longer widespread so it has switch to nettle. Any Scottish little boy could tell you how abundant nettle is. Could other Butterflies switch foodplant. I think the answer is yes. I think that Northern Brown Argus uses Cranesbills in Scotland but this will remain our secret for the present. |  |
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