Rare butterfly seen in record numbers at site

Record numbers have been counted of a rare butterfly at a site in Worcestershire, after a habitat restoration project was launched.

Following the scheme from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, more than 700 wood white butterflies were counted at Monkwood last year.

The species had disappeared from the area in 2008, but numbers have increased after 10 breeding pairs were originally introduced and staff and volunteers worked to create an environment for them to thrive.

Project officer Rhona Goddard said it was a "very dainty, tiny little white butterfly".

Asked why the wood white disappeared from the locality, she replied they were "very, very particular in terms of the habitat they they require".

Goddard added that in 2016 "we were very lucky" and money was received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Work took place with local forestry experts and 10 males and 10 females were reintroduced in the area, she said.

Monkwood was a "semi-natural ancient woodland that is renowned for its ground flora & butterfly species", the trust said.

Goodard stated: "[Last year] we had over 700 adults that we recorded and wood whites only tend to fly from May until [the] middle of August if we're lucky.

"Even though they're only tiny little butterflies, they do cover quite big distances."

Goddard explained that males had "white dots on their antennae and females don't".

"If we do get a male and female that meet each other, they do have a... courtship display.

"He bashes her either side I suppose with his... [mouthpart] proboscis... and she flicks his wings and he flicks his wings."

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