Migration through Bavaria

[Colin Knight]

My brother lives 25 miles North East of Munich, and reported the following to me after I mentioned the Painted Lady migration. Any ideas about the species?
“I had an unusual experience on weekend 16-17th May sitting on my terrace. Suddenly a swarm of butterflies flew over our garden wall, followed by another, then another - perhaps 60-80 in each swarm, then another, then another. And this went on for around 30 minutes - must have been thousands of butterflies that flew past. Especially astonishing was the speed at which they flew. So quick that it was very difficult to determine what kind of pattern they had on their wings, or even see what colour(s) they had. Generally brown though. They were also very small butterflies, smaller than you would normally see - moth size, really - but amazingly fast. Seemed to fly in smaller groups of 10-15. I was told by a colleague at work that they had also flown through Munich and had come from North Africa.”

[Pete Eeles]

Sounds like Painted Lady to me. I can't imagine what else they could be!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

My guess would be the silver y moth (Autographa gamma), which is currently in strong migration mode!

Guy

[Padfield]

Sounds like Painted Lady to me. I can't imagine what else they could be!

Don't forget that painted ladies are 'giants' by the time they reach Times reporters, Pete! And these are described as being tiny...

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

Sounds like Painted Lady to me. I can't imagine what else they could be!

Don't forget that painted ladies are 'giants' by the time they reach Times reporters, Pete! And these are described as being tiny...

Guy

Very good.

Cheers,

- Pete