Main content

Virtually extinct butterfly breeding again on Portland after absence of more than half a century

A butterfly that virtually disappeared from the UK more than half a century ago is back. And it's been found on Portland.

The demise of the large tortoiseshell since the sixties is thought to be largely linked with Dutch Elm disease - with elm leaves a primary food source.

But after sightings on the island last year, experts have recently made a discovery that almost certainly means Portland is the first location in the country where the butterfly is breeding again.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Solent reporter Laurence Herdman has investigated this latest finding.

Release date:

Duration:

4 minutes