‘Emergency’ deepens as butterfly species decimated in ‘worst year ever’
This comes after a charity declared an “emergency” amid deteriorating conditions for the insects.
Richard Fox from Butterfly Conservation said he was “devastated” by the decline in British butterflies, blaming the collapse on issues like the use of pesticides and climate change.
More than half of UK butterfly species in long-term decline amid ongoing ’emergency’
It was revealed that 2024 was the fifth-worst year on record for butterflies, with 51 of the UK’s 59 species declining.
It was also the worst year on record for species like the small tortoiseshell, the chalk hill blue and small copper.
The expert said this decline was partly due to the wet spring and relatively cool summer, which provided less than optimal conditions for the winged insects.
Detailing his upset at the decline, Dr Fox said: “I am devastated by the decline of our beloved British butterflies, and I’m sorry to say it has been brought about by human actions: We have destroyed wildlife habitats, polluted the environment, used pesticides on an industrial scale and we are changing the climate.
“That means that when we have poor weather, these already-depleted butterfly populations are highly vulnerable and can’t bounce back like they once did – and with climate change, that unusual weather is becoming more and more usual.”
Dr Fox added that last summer, the charity was “inundated” with concerned citizens, wondering where the butterflies had gone and what they could do to help.
Recommended Reading:
The ‘everyday’ plants poisonous to dogs – do you have any in your garden?
7 common poisonous plants to keep away from children – why are they not safe?
Revealing what could be done, he said: “By far the best thing we can do to help butterflies is to create more habitat.
“That is why we are calling on people and councils across the UK to pledge to not cut their grass this year from April to September: This simple act can make a real, immediate difference to butterflies, moths and other wildlife.”
Dr Marc Botham, butterfly ecologist at the UKCEH, said: “These deeply concerning results from the UKBMS emphasise just how important it is to monitor and record our wildlife so we can target conservation efforts and protect our beloved species.
“Butterflies in particular, are valuable not just in their own right but also as indicator species, meaning they can tell us about the health of the wider environment, which makes the UKBMS data invaluable in assessing the health of our countryside and natural world in general.”
