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Butterflies emerge in once-a-decade phenomenon

Huge numbers of painted lady butterflies are emerging across the UK in a once-in-a-decade phenomenon.
Weather conditions and food sources are providing ideal conditions for the species to thrive.
Sightings of painted ladies - otherwise known as Vanessa cardui - have prompted dozens of pictures and videos to be posted to social media.
Around 11 million of the butterflies were seen in the UK during the last "painted lady year" in 2009.

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