Acrylic on Canvas 2013 119 x 183 cm
Successive generations of Painted Lady Butterflies undertake a 9,000 mile round trip from North Africa to the Arctic Circle.
In March and April they fly north from Africa averaging an altitude of 500 metres, using the wind to reach speeds of up to 30 mph.
In May and June, the new generation reaches Britain and Central Europe – the caterpillars feed on thistles in the UK. Early June, the butterflies reach Iceland and Norway – July and August, the new generation emerges and move south. Breeding resumes in North Africa in October.
