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British butterfly emergency declared by experts - as survey reveals numbers have plummeted to lowest level in 14 years The Big Butterfly Count takes place over three weeks in the summer This year participants spotted just seven butterflies on average, down from 12 Some 9,000 counts logged no butterflies – the worst in the scheme's history By Colin Fernandez Environment Editor Published: 19:46 EDT, 17 September 2024 | Updated: 20:06 EDT, 17 September 2024 e-mail View comments Conservationists are warning of a 'butterfly emergency' as an annual UK survey recorded the lowest-ever result in its 14-year history. The Big Butterfly Count, organised by Butterfly Conservation over three weeks in the summer, involves members of the public spending 15 minutes recording the butterflies they see in their garden, park or countryside. This year participants spotted just seven butterflies on average, down from 12 last year.
Some 9,000 counts logged no butterflies at all – the worst result in the history of the scheme. Butterfly Conservation said four-fifths (81 per cent) of species showed declines this year compared to 2023. The Big Butterfly Count involves members of the public spending 15 minutes recording the butterflies they see in their garden, park or countryside (Pictured: a group of monarch butterflies) Dr Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation's head of science (pictured) The charity said the insects were hit by a wet spring and cool summer – but that these natural variations in numbers, affected by the weather, are in addition to long-term declines.
Dr Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation's head of science, said declines have been driven by fields in the 1970s and 1980s being farmed or built on pesticide pollution, and extremes of weather from climate change . Meanwhile, intensive management of the countryside and gardens, including an 'obsession with tidiness that's just really bad for nature', also took a toll. Butterfly Conservation has written an open letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed asking for the Government to declare a 'nature emergency' and ban all neonicotinoid pesticides – well-known for harming bees but also toxic to butterflies.
Dr Fox said: 'When used on farmland, these chemicals make their way into the wild plants growing at field edges, resulting in adult butterflies and moths drinking contaminated nectar and caterpillars feeding on contaminated plants.' Butterfly Conservation said four-fifths (81 per cent) of species showed declines this year compared to 2023. A Peacock Butterfly (pictured) Dr Fox said declines have been driven by fields in the 1970s and 1980s being farmed or built.
Pictured; Silver-studded butterflies mating Just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded between July 12 to August 4. Pictured: A Speckled Wood Butterfly This year, a third of the common species of butterflies and day-flying moths included in the count had their worst year on record. Pictured: A Common Blue butterfly 'If we don't act now to address the long-term drivers of butterfly decline, we will face extinction events never before seen in our lifetime,' he added.
In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded between July 12 to August 4, down more than a third on 2023's figures. The previous low was in 2022, which clocked up an average of just nine butterflies spotted by participants. This year, a third of the common species of butterflies and day-flying moths included in the count had their worst year on record.
'The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies,' Dr Fox said. A Brimstone Butterfly pictured on top of a flower A six-spot Burnet Butterfly The data gathered by the public also show a decline over the 14 years of the count for a number of common butterflies, including small tortoiseshell and common blue numbers which have more than halved, while green-veined whites are down nearly two thirds (65 per cent). Overall, the 14-year trends show that 11 species – some two thirds of those included in the count – are declining, and just three species, red admirals, holly blues and small coppers, are increasing.
Dr Fox said: 'Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. 'Nature is sounding the alarm call. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations,' he warned.
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