A butterfly which has never before been reported in Scotland's central belt has been found in Edinburgh.
Speckled wood butterflies feed on the honeydew secreted by aphids
The speckled wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria)
A butterfly which has never before been reported in Scotland's central belt has been found in Edinburgh.
Speckled wood butterflies feed on the honeydew secreted by aphids
The speckled wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria) was spotted by Scottish Wildlife Trust member James Menzies in his garden in Newington.
Other butterfly species normally restricted to England are also moving northwards.
Their appearance in Scotland is thought to be linked to climate change, one of the major challenges facing wildlife.
Simon Milne, the Scottish Wildlife Trust's chief executive, said: "Our wildlife is one of the most sensitive indicators of environmental change.
"We know that climate change is already having a significant impact on, among other things, flowering times, seabird breeding and the distributions of many species.
"Scotland may gain a few species but many others may be lost unless we act now to bring nature as a whole onto a more sustainable and secure footing."