The weather in Dorset so far this year has been somewhat unpredictable and the effects of this on our butterflies are as yet unknown.

Martin Warren sent us these photos telling us that he was astonished to find two almost fully grown Red Admiral caterpillars in Corfe Castle yesterday, 29/02/2024.  He found them along a garden wall but not against a house and said that they must have survived two, week-long periods of frost and -5C.

Several adult Red Admiral butterflies have already been recorded in Dorset this winter and Martin wondered if perhaps the Red Admiral is hardier than we have previously thought it to be and then posed the question” have they adapted in some way?”

Red Admiral Caterpillar. Photo: Martin Warren