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Queen of Spain butterfly invasion breeds in Britain

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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The Queen of Spain butterfly has invaded Britain, with thousands arriving this year.
Migrants arrived from France, Spain and the Netherlands, reaching the south coast and East Anglia.
The butterflies have bred in the UK, producing British-born offspring observed this autumn.
Hundreds were recorded last week at East Tilbury and Linford beside the Thames in Essex.
Lepidopterist Neil Hulme called the influx a bold attempt at colonising the UK.

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The Queen of Spain butterfly has invaded Britain, with thousands arriving this year.
Migrants arrived from France, Spain and the Netherlands, reaching the south coast and East Anglia.
The butterflies have bred in the UK, producing British-born offspring observed this autumn.
Hundreds were recorded last week at East Tilbury and Linford beside the Thames in Essex.
Lepidopterist Neil Hulme called the influx a bold attempt at colonising the UK.