Atalanta most often seen in butterfly count again | Inland

About 10,000 to 15,000 people took part in the census this year. “Approximately 84 percent of the counters have spotted an atalanta in their garden,” says a spokeswoman. Like last year, the count lasted three weeks. The first two weeks it was still cold and wet and there were hardly any butterflies to be seen. Especially in the last week when it got warmer, many caterpillars pupated and it suddenly became “a butterfly party,” according to the spokeswoman.

The atalanta (Vanessa atalanta) is a common migratory butterfly seen all over the country. The butterfly is black with orange stripes and white spots. According to the foundation, large numbers fly from southern Europe to the Netherlands every year and then produce one or more new generations here.

Butterfly position

The public could report observations in the garden over the past three weeks on the website www.vlindermee.nl. The Butterfly Foundation uses the data to better protect the insects. If a certain species seems to be declining, the foundation can work with nature managers to ensure that the habitats of that species receive better protection.

The count previously only lasted three days, a long weekend. Last year, the foundation made it three weeks. This should provide a more accurate picture of the butterfly population in our country. According to the foundation, this has become increasingly difficult due to the unpredictability of the weather.

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