comma butterfly

The comma butterfly has moved 137 miles north because of climate change.

And some species really moved—the comma butterfly has shifted 137 miles north in just two decades.

A Comma butterfly suns itself on the patio window.

A Comma butterfly rests in a patch of sunlight on a shady lane.

Two eastern comma butterflies twirl in tandem through the forest understory.

But the comma butterfly was able to make the leap from central England to Edinburgh, a distance of about 137 miles, in two decades.

The comma butterfly in Great Britain has moved more than 135 miles in 21 years, Thomas said.

It was as warm as summer, the temperature an amazing 15.5 C. So warm that we had earlier seen a comma butterfly on the wing.

Red admiral, peacock, small tortoiseshell and comma butterflies all rely upon nettles for laying eggs and the growth of their caterpillars.

The Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Invertebrates charity Buglife Scotland said orange tip and comma butterflies along with dragonflies such as emperor and black-tailed skimmer have moved northwards.

For example, the Comma butterfly, Polygonia c-album, is highly cryptic when its wings are closed, with cryptic colours, disruptive pattern, and irregular outer margins to the wings.

A study of Hesperia comma butterflies in Britain identified unoccupied habitat sites that were likely to support the species under a warmer climate based on their similarity to occupied sites.

Comma butterfly, the brush-footed butterfly Polygonia c-album (and related species; "comma butterflies": the genus Polygonia in general)

"Even though the site sits cheek by jowl with a built-up urban area, it supports bird species like nuthatches, gadwall and whooper swans; as well as otters, bats, badgers and even rare comma butterflies."

Dr Maggie Keegan, head of policy and planning for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "While there are winners such as the pine marten and comma butterfly, there are also many losers such as the red squirrel, wildcat and mountain hare.