Sir, – Your Nature Diary (July 30th) asks why is it that many of us adore butterflies yet detest moths. I appreciate both. The diary’s caption identifies the insect in the photograph as a yellow swallowtail moth. However, the clubbed antennae are a dead giveaway. The insect shown is a swallowtail butterfly, common throughout Europe but not present in Ireland or the UK. If you see one in Ireland this summer, you are fortunate indeed. – Yours, etc,
SEAN FLEMING,
Ballycotton,
Co Cork.