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| Butterfly flits for warm weather | Butterfly flits for warm weather |
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| A butterfly from the south of Britain has been spotted near Dundee for the first time. | A butterfly from the south of Britain has been spotted near Dundee for the first time. |
| The comma (polygonia c-album) butterfly was found by insect expert Stuart Gordon in his garden near Inchture. | The comma (polygonia c-album) butterfly was found by insect expert Stuart Gordon in his garden near Inchture. |
| It is believed to be one of the most northerly sightings of the creature, which has previously only ventured as far as the central belt. | It is believed to be one of the most northerly sightings of the creature, which has previously only ventured as far as the central belt. |
| The etymologist believes the presence of the butterfly in Tayside could be a sign of climate change. | The etymologist believes the presence of the butterfly in Tayside could be a sign of climate change. |
| Another comma butterfly was spotted in Scone Palace earlier this year. | |
| Warmer summers | Warmer summers |
| Mr Gordon said other species, such as peacocks and orange tips had become more abundant in recent years, while numbers of small tortoiseshell butterflies had fallen. | Mr Gordon said other species, such as peacocks and orange tips had become more abundant in recent years, while numbers of small tortoiseshell butterflies had fallen. |
| He said: "I have been looking at changes in the number of butterflies in my garden for a number of years as part of my general interest in how climate change is affecting insects. | He said: "I have been looking at changes in the number of butterflies in my garden for a number of years as part of my general interest in how climate change is affecting insects. |
| "Over the last four to five years there has been a significant change in the species found, culminating with the sighting of the adult comma butterfly. | "Over the last four to five years there has been a significant change in the species found, culminating with the sighting of the adult comma butterfly. |
| Climate change will mean the slow move northwards to Scotland of some insects and plant diseases that we have not seen before Professor Peter GregoryScottish Crop Research Institute | Climate change will mean the slow move northwards to Scotland of some insects and plant diseases that we have not seen before Professor Peter GregoryScottish Crop Research Institute |
| "There seems to be a correlation between the generally warmer summers and springs and the diversity of butterflies found. | "There seems to be a correlation between the generally warmer summers and springs and the diversity of butterflies found. |
| "Climate change seems to be affecting both the numbers and diversity of butterflies." | "Climate change seems to be affecting both the numbers and diversity of butterflies." |
| The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), where Mr Gordon is employed, said it expected even more new insect and plant species to spread to Scotland. | The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), where Mr Gordon is employed, said it expected even more new insect and plant species to spread to Scotland. |
| It said weather data collected over the past 40 years showed average temperatures had risen 1C and continued to climb. | It said weather data collected over the past 40 years showed average temperatures had risen 1C and continued to climb. |
| SCRI director Professor Peter Gregory said: "We have been advising for some time that climate change will mean the slow move northwards to Scotland of some insects and plant diseases that we have not seen before. | |
| "Some of these, like the comma butterfly, will be welcome guests; however others will be pests that we have not had to cope with in the past." | "Some of these, like the comma butterfly, will be welcome guests; however others will be pests that we have not had to cope with in the past." |
| The comma butterfly is now widespread in southern Britain after suffering a severe decline during the 20th Century. | |
| It first returned to Scotland in1999 after an absence of more than 100 years. | It first returned to Scotland in1999 after an absence of more than 100 years. |