'Butterfly emergency' declared in the UK
A national 'butterfly emergency' has been declared in the UK as numbers hit a record low.
Despite more than 85,000 Brits participating in this year's Big Butterfly Count, the study recorded the lowest number of butterflies in its 14-year history. There were over 140,000 butterfly counts, which is almost 50% less than last year's average.
This concerning decline highlights that the majority of species (over 80%) showed a reduction in numbers compared to the previous year.
In fact, almost 600,000 fewer butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK over the dates of the count. And 9,000 participants actually logged zero butterflies, which is the highest number since the citizen science programme began 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. 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," says Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation.
"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 Butterfly Conservation is urging the Government to declare an official 'nature emergency' and ban butterfly-killing neonicotinoid pesticides once and for all, before it's too late for these winged insects.
Dr Fox continues: "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."
The charity has urged participants and nature lovers to sign their letter to the Government before Sunday 13th October 2024, so that everyone's voices can be heard.
Thankfully there are some changes we can make in our gardens in the meantime, to do our bit to provide an attractive environment for butterflies, from planting specific pollinator-friendly flowers and plants to leaving your hedges unpruned.
Those looking to take part in next year's Big Butterfly Count will be able to do so from Friday 18th July to Sunday 10th August 2025, with participants being able to submit their sightings via the online tracking sheet.
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