‘Butterfly emergency’ declared as UK summer count hits record low

Conservationists are calling for urgent action to help Britain’s butterflies after a new study revealed that numbers have plummeted by more than a quarter in the past decade.

The study, published in the journal ‘Conservation Letters’, found that butterfly numbers have declined by 27% since 2009. This means there are now around 5.6 million fewer butterflies in the UK than there were just over a decade ago.

The decline is being driven by a number of factors, including habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.

Butterflies are important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their decline is a sign that the natural world is in trouble and that we need to take action to protect it.

Conservationists are calling for a range of measures to help butterflies, including increasing habitat, reducing pesticide use, and planting more nectar-rich flowers.

Why are butterflies in decline?

There are a number of factors that are contributing to the decline of butterflies in the UK, including:

• Habitat loss: The UK has lost a significant amount of butterfly habitat in recent years, due to factors such as urban development, agriculture, and forestry. Butterflies rely on specific habitats for food, shelter, and breeding, and the loss of these habitats is making it difficult for them to survive.
• Climate change: Climate change is also having a negative impact on butterflies. Warmer winters are causing some butterflies to emerge earlier from hibernation, only to be met with cold weather and a lack of food. Changes in rainfall patterns are also affecting the availability of nectar and other food sources for butterflies.
• Pollution: Pollution, from sources such as traffic and agriculture, can also harm butterflies. Pollutants can damage butterfly eggs and larvae, and can also reduce the availability of food and habitat.
• Pesticides: Pesticides are widely used in agriculture and can be harmful to butterflies. Pesticides can kill butterflies directly, or can damage their food and habitat.

What can be done to help butterflies?

There are a number of things that can be done to help butterflies, including:

• Increasing habitat: One of the most important things that can be done to help butterflies is to increase the amount of habitat available to them. This can be done by planting nectar-rich flowers in gardens and parks, creating butterfly gardens, and restoring natural habitats.
• Reducing pesticide use: Pesticides can be harmful to butterflies, so it is important to reduce their use as much as possible. This can be done by using non-chemical methods of pest control, such as biological control or crop rotation.
• Planting nectar-rich flowers: Butterflies rely on nectar for food, so it is important to plant nectar-rich flowers in gardens and parks. Some good choices include buddleia, lavender, and sunflowers.
• Creating butterfly gardens: Butterfly gardens are a great way to attract butterflies to your yard or garden. They should include a variety of nectar-rich flowers, as well as places for butterflies to lay their eggs and shelter from the sun and rain.
• Restoring natural habitats: Restoring natural habitats is another important way to help butterflies. This can be done by planting native plants, reducing pollution, and creating wildlife corridors.

Conclusion

Butterflies are important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their decline is a sign that the natural world is in trouble and that we need to take action to protect it. There are a number of things that can be done to help butterflies, including increasing habitat, reducing pesticide use, and planting nectar-rich flowers.