Extinct black-veined white butterfly set for UK return after 100 years

West Sussex: The black-veined white butterfly, extinct in the UK since the early 20th century, is preparing to re-establish itself on the island through a new reintroduction project.

The effort is led by the Knepp Wildland Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Knepp Estate rewilding project in West Sussex. Once a struggling farm, the estate is now one of England’s most biodiverse sites, home to large populations of nightingales and rare insects like the purple emperor butterfly.

Black-veined white butterflies remain widespread across continental Europe. For the program, larvae were flown to Knepp in special containers to overwinter on the estate and acclimatize to British conditions.

The project is supported by Ambios Ltd, Butterfly Conservation, The Zoological Society of London, and Natural England.

Early signs are positive. The insects are growing as expected on hawthorn and blackthorn shrubs, which make up their diet and habitat. The progress is encouraging because several past attempts to reintroduce the species have failed, according to Bird Guides UK.

The species disappeared from Britain due to land-use changes and habitat loss. Conservationists hope the success at Knepp will help the black-veined white butterfly reclaim its place in the UK.