Britain's butterfly season could be extended if there is more autumn sunshine, following what has been described as one of the best butterfly seasons this century. Extended warm seasons have enabled more species to produce an additional generation.
Small coppers, large whites, and small whites are currently active, while red admirals and peacocks have emerged from hibernation to feed. The painted lady and clouded yellow, Britain's two main migratory species, are also still present before their flight back to southern Europe.
The Queen of Spain fritillary, a rarer migratory species, has reportedly had its best year ever in Britain. If October brings more sunshine, additional offspring of Queen of Spains spotted in August around the south and east coast of England could emerge as adult butterflies.