Butterflywatch: sunny May is good news for lepidopterists

Most of the 59 native species are in decline but the Duke of Burgundy and marsh fritillary are thrivingIt happened last month and again now: the heavens open the moment I write Butterflywatch. So with the perpetual caveat of a British summer - and rain lashing down on my window - I declare it's been an excellent month for butterflies.Like farmers, lepidopterists perpetually grouse about the weather but May has brought plentiful sunshine and a little rain. We need the latter to stop caterpillars' food plants from withering and dying. Continue reading...