A DORSET based charity says 2015 could be the most exciting butterfly year for a generation.

Following an influx of exotic continental species into the UK this summer, Butterfly Conservation based in Purbeck has high expectations for next year.

The Continental Swallowtail, extremely rare Scarce Tortoiseshell and Large Tortoiseshell were among those to make an appearance in 2014 and it is hoped they will emerge again next year.

If any Scarce Tortoiseshells manage against the odds to hibernate and emerge in 2015, they would be the first to do so in the UK in more than 300 years of butterfly recording.

The striking Continental Swallowtail was spotted along the south coast from Suffolk to Dorset over the summer after an invasion of the species the previous summer.

Butterfly Conservation says that if any surviving Continental Swallowtails manage to successfully overwinter and emerge across southern England again in 2015 it would suggest that the species is attempting to colonise parts of the UK.

The Scarce Tortoiseshell, also known as the Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell, appeared in the country for the first time since 1953 earlier this year while the less rare but equally beautiful Large Tortoiseshell was lost as a breeding species in the UK more than 40 years ago but was back in numbers this summer.

Another species spotted as recently as mid-November was the Clouded Yellow, and a mild winter could give the butterfly a good chance of surviving into 2015.

Dr Tom Brereton, Butterfly Conservation head of monitoring, said: “The emergence and immigration of Continental Swallowtails and Scarce Tortoiseshells has made 2014 a truly remarkable butterfly year and with a bit of luck, 2015 could shape up to be even more memorable.

“There have been lots of exciting stories recently of birds, dragonflies, moths and other insects colonising the UK as the climate has warmed up.

“This year’s events show that butterflies are finally getting in on the action, giving a much needed boost to our depleted butterfly fauna.”

For more information about the work of Butterfly Conservation visit butterfly-conservation.org