Guardian: The UK's second wettest year on record was disastrous for sun-loving butterflies but at least three grass-feeding species defied the gloom.
Almost twice as many meadow browns were counted in the UK in 2012 compared with the previous year, and the gatekeeper and ringlet also increased, according to the Wider Countryside butterfly survey (WCBS).
What this brown trio lack in charisma they make up for with their tenacious ability to fly on the darkest of summer days. Their caterpillars also thrived...