1996, de eerste indruk

A preliminary impression is given of the sightings from butterfly watchers in the Netherlands and Flanders. 1996 saw a massive invasion of Painted Ladles. There was also a large outbreak of Oak Processionary caterpillars, which in the province of Brabant reached plague proportions, making control measures necessary. This year the Camberwell Beauty was sighted again, though it was nothing like the boom of 1995. It seems the butterfly has managed to breed here, although no caterpillar findings were confirmed. Other encouraging observations were those of Clouded Yellows and Small Pearl-bordered Frltillaries.