The cold weather in March has led to many butterflies emerging weeks later than usual, charitable group Butterfly Conservation has said.
The emergence of many rare spring species has been delayed by around two weeks, and in some cases three or more weeks.
For example, one species, the Grizzled Skipper, emerged a month later than last year.
And 12 months ago the endangered Pearl-bordered Fritillary was on the wing by 1 April but this year the butterfly didn’t emerge until 27 April.
Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation surveys manager, said: "The long cold winter has delayed the emergence of some of our most threatened butterflies by at least two weeks this spring.
"In itself, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The key factor is what the weather is like over the coming weeks while these butterflies are flying, mating and laying eggs."
At the moment the Butterfly Conservation is promoting its Save Our Butterflies Week, a series of UK-wide events highlighting conservation work that is helping to reverse the declines of butterflies.
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