Butterfly thought to have been extinct spotted in Co. Fermanagh

by Gráinne Connolly

A butterfly thought to have been extinct in Northern Ireland was spotted in a meadow in County Fermanagh. 

The Small Blue- Cupido Minimus has only ever been recorded at one site in Northern Ireland, but it hasn't been there in 16 years. 

It's the rarest and most endangered butterfly, listed as a 'priority species' for conservation action.  

NIEA'S Habitat Survery Team recorded not one, but seven of these small butterflies in a meadow near Derrygonnelly at the end of May. 

They believe the high numbers are linked to the unusually warm weather in Northern Ireland. 

Reported in the Belfast Telegraph, Bobbie Hamill from the NIEA'S Habitat Survey Team said:

"Not only is the Small Blue our smallest butterfly, but unlike other members of its family, it is inconspicuous and can easily be overlooked. 

"Rather than blue, the upper wing is actually dull brown in color, fringed by white hairs with a dusting of blue scales at their base and the underside is silver blue with dark speckles.

"In addition, at little more than 20mm, it is not surprising that these beautiful little butterflies are difficult to spot."