Large Tortoiseshell

[mvpike]

In a nice sheltered spot away from the very strong wind a super Large Tortoiseshell seen this morning in Portland, Dorset.

Mark.

[Padfield]

Can I be the first to say 'Wow!' ?

Great photos too.

Guy

[Tony Moore]

And double wow from me! Great find .

Tony M.

[Jack Harrison]

Indeed, excellent photos. Is the consensus that it was "home grown"?

Jack

[mvpike]

There is hope that it is indeed "home grown" but only time will tell.

It is not the only one seen around the area in recent weeks so let us hope this is the start of a re-population. . .

Mark.

[Padfield]

I'm intrigued by her condition. She looks far from fresh, and yet this is the time of year fresh adults are emerging. That suggests to me she is a disperser - so might have been around some time and travelled some distance. In the first picture she actually looks gravid, but that should be impossible in July, I think.

Guy

[bugboy]

They've been seen down there regularly for 2 or 3 years now and hatched eggs and larvae were seen there earlier this year so little doubt this is the result of them.
https://twitter.com/WillLangdon12/statu ... 5792940032
As I understand it though I believe the 'population' down there has been released by a local enthusiast so for me a question mark hangs over whether they are recolonising naturally down there . However the amount of reports this spring of post hibernators, plus a few fresh individuals seen in recent weeks in other places (Abbots Wood for example) suggests they are around in significant numbers to warrant some excitement

[Deborah]

I’m going to jump in here even though I’m in Brittany! Two Large Tortoiseshells in my garden today! One warming up on a potato leaf, the other nectarine on Verbena bonariensis. Made my day. Went into the meadow 75 yards from the house (looking for Purple Emperors) and spotted two more. Great day!

[David M]

Wow! This is looking very promising. Long may it continue.