A rare butterfly thought to have been wiped out a century ago in one of its former strongholds has made a surprise return.
The Northern Brown Argus has not been seen in Stirlingshire in 100 years, according to official records, after habitats it relied upon were lost due to overgrazing.
However, a butterfly enthusiast in the area planted a common rock-rose,
the only plant eaten by Northern Brown Argus caterpillars, in her garden in Blairlogie.
When a Northern Brown Argus appeared at her home, just inside the Stirlingshire border, a search was launched and a few small colonies of the butterfly were found by volunteers on the steep hills at the Dumyat Estate.
The discovery was described as “remarkable” by the Butterfly Conservation, which said it had been the first time in 100 years that a sighting in the area had been recorded.
