Conservationists are sounding the alarm over a “butterfly emergency” as a yearly citizen science survey for the insects has reported the lowest numbers on record. The Big Butterfly Count, managed by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, encourages the public to dedicate 15 minutes to documenting the butterflies they observe in their garden, park, or countryside. This year’s results marked a significant decline, with participants spotting an average of only seven butterflies per count, compared to last year’s average of 12. Additionally, a record number of 9,000 counts recorded no butterflies – the highest figure in the count’s history.
Butterfly Conservation expressed concerns about the significant drop in butterfly numbers, including species such as common and holly blues, green-veined and small whites, small tortoiseshell, painted lady, and Scotch argus. Alarmingly, 81% of the species showed decreases in butterfly populations this year compared to 2023. The charity attributed these declines to factors like habitat loss due to past agricultural practices and ongoing landscape degradation from pesticides and climate change impacts.
Dr. Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, highlighted the urgent need for action to halt the decline of butterflies. The charity is calling on Environment Secretary Steve Reed to declare a “nature emergency” and ban neonicotinoid pesticides without exceptions. These chemicals, known for their harmful effects on bees, also impact butterflies when they contaminate nectar and plants that caterpillars feed on.
In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK during the Big Butterfly Count period, representing a decrease of more than a third from the previous year. The long-term trends revealed worrisome declines for many common butterfly species, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these vital indicator species.
Dr. Fox emphasized the crucial role of butterflies as indicators of environmental health and urged both individuals and the government to take action in preserving their habitats. Encouragingly, the public’s increased awareness of the decline in butterfly populations can motivate broader conservation efforts. Creating butterfly-friendly environments in outdoor spaces and implementing effective pesticide regulations are crucial steps towards reversing the alarming trend of declining butterfly populations.
The call for immediate action to safeguard butterflies reflects a broader need to protect biodiversity and maintain a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Butterfly Conservation’s efforts to address the root causes of the decline in butterfly populations underscore the urgency of conservation measures in the face of environmental challenges.