Large blue butterflies return to the UK

The Cotswolds have seen the return of a butterfly called the large blue. This butterfly had not been seen for around 150 years, but a very careful reintroduction strategy has helped it successfully return to the area.

To help it survive, the habitat had been had been managed and turned into a thriving grassland which is ideal for large blues to live in.  Scientists and ecologists also studied the butterfly's life cycle and feeding habits in order to best understand its chances of survival.  Some 1,100 larvae were then released with around 750 butterflies now existing Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire.

This is one of the first very successful projects which has seen a previously extinct insect species successfully introduced.  The National Trust, Butterfly Conservation, and Back from the Brink organisations worked together along with local groups to make it all happen.  

🐛 To find out more, click the link here to read about the project.

🐛 To learn more about the large blue butterfly, click the link here to visit the Butterfly Conservation website.