IMMIGRANTS FLOOD INTO WHITBY

In the biggest influx for decades, millions of Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) have flown into Britain from the north African deserts.
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The last major invasion was in 1996, but was nowhere near as large. It is thought that heavy winter rains in Morocco during February triggered the germination of the caterpillars' food plants. Large numbers were seen in Spain in April. A few weeks later they had made it to France.
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By September they'll be gone back to the hot, distant land of their mothers.

Thanks to Barbara Godfrey for the photographs, which were taken on 09/08/09 near the Abbey.