2 days Ago By Jamie Harris
EXPERTS have sounded the alarm over worryingly low UK butterfly numbers after a woeful annual count. Conservationists fear we will face "extinction events never before seen in our lifetime" unless urgent action is taken to save the much-loved insect. Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count 2024 saw the lowest number of butterflies spotted per count in its 14-year history.
And the finger of blame has been pointed at butterfly-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, as well as the disappearance of fields. In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK from July 12 - August 4, down almost 600,000 compared to 2023. More than 85,000 citizen scientists took part in the big count effort.
But this year 9,000 reports came back reporting zero butterfly sightings - the highest ever in the citizen science programme’s history. The Common Blue, Holly Blue, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Scotch Argus had the worst summer count ever since the initiative started in 2010. "The previous lowest average number of butterflies per count was nine in 2022, this latest figure is 22% lower than that, which is very disturbing," said Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation.
"Not just that, but a third of the species recorded in the Big Butterfly Count have had their worst year on record, and no species had their best. "The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies. "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." The charity is writing an open letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, calling on the Government to declare a "nature emergency" and ban neonicotinoid pesticides with no exceptions.
The pesticides are well-known for their harmful impact on bees. It's banned in the UK with emergency exemptions granted under some circumstances, but Butterfly Conservation is highlighting their impact on butterflies too. Dr Fox added: "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.
"Many European countries have already banned these chemicals, it’s time for the UK to follow suit and put the natural world first. "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." By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor One way you can help butterflies is by leaving fruit that fall from trees in your garden.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, species like the Red Admiral and Painted Lady consume fruit juices from fallen over-ripe pears, plums and apples in late summer. Planting larval food plants for butterflies can also be a big help. This includes - and is not limited to - things like cabbage, currants, elm, garlic, holly and ivy.
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