Previously extinct large blue butterfly returns to Cotswolds site for first time in 150 years

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2020-08-15 05:27:57

Credit: David Simcox/National Trust

Credit: David Simcox/National Trust

A good news has emerged from Britain amid Corona epidemic. Britain's rarest butterfly species has appeared for the first time in 150 years. It is the largest blue species of butterfly. It has once again been seen on the Cotswold hills. According to The Guardian, this blue butterfly was declared extinct in 1979, after which the species has returned again after repeated efforts by The National Trust. To help promote this breed, 867 acres of land was provided at Roadborough Common last year.

Around 1,100 of the butterfly larvae were released at the West Country locations, with 750 butterflies successfully emerging. Conservationists have now found evidence of the butterflies laying their eggs in the wild - a positive sign that they will continue to survive.

The Large Blue Butterfly has a pretty interesting life cycle, which involves a grisly betrayal!. The butterfly larvae trick a species of red ant into carrying them to their nest where they stay and feed on the ant grubs before emerging as a butterfly the next year.