The combination of the relatively cold spring and the nice summer weather has made the mnemosyne butterfly larvae thrive like fish in water.
This has meant that the species, after a tough last year, is now moving towards brighter times.
- It has looked quite dark for the species.
But this year, several individuals have been seen flying, so it is super positive, says Annika Lydänge
nature conservation
officer
at the County Administrative Board in Blekinge.
Lives in a secret place
The butterfly lives on a meadow in a secret place in Blekinge - so that the few specimens that exist are protected from the public.
- It is mainly about people wanting to collect them and put them on a needle, therefore we do not tell where they are, says Annika Lydänge.
Raised in captivity
To ensure that the mnemosyne butterfly lives on, several different methods are used.
In addition to ensuring that there are environments in which it thrives, the butterfly has also been raised in captivity.
- We have collected a few eggs each year to ensure that at least some survive.
But in recent years we have not been able to collect any eggs precisely because we have not found any mated females, says Annika Lydänge.