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Painted Ladies
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 1:49 pm
by felix123
Does the painted lady butterfly start to come over from the continent in march? I cant wait to see one!
Thanks for any help,
Felix
Re: Painted Ladies
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:39 pm
by Gruditch
Hi Felix, the first PL that I saw last year was on the 25th April, during practical field trip for the Photography Workshop.
If Guy's ( Padfield ) sources are correct, regarding the vegetation in their Wintering grounds. Then I wouldn't be holding your breath for another Painted Lady spectacular like last year.
Regards Gruditch
Re: Painted Ladies
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 12:20 pm
by Chris Pickford
The first butterflies I saw this year (Feb, S. Oxon) were fast moving vanessids that looked very much like extremely worn Painted Ladies. They were flying "purposefully" very much like the waves of PLs that passed over last year.
Bearing in mind the extremely cold winter, and the general belief that PLs don't hibernate in the UK, are these likely to be a freak early invasion? Or is it simply the case that so many came to the UK, that even a very low survival rate would lead to a few hibernating individuals appearing?
Views?
Chris.