Warning of ‘butterfly emergency’ as survey finds record-low insects

Numbers have plummeted by 17% since 2009 with just one in five gardens now hosting the insects, according to the Big Butterfly Count

Charity calls for urgent pesticide restrictions after numbers drop to lowest level since project began 12 years ago

Butterfly populations have plummeted by 17% since 2009, with just one in five gardens now hosting the insects, according to the Big Butterfly Count.

The citizen science project, run by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, asked the public to count butterflies in their gardens and green spaces for three weeks every summer.

This year’s results, published on Tuesday, show that butterfly numbers have continued to decline, with 2022 being the fifth year in a row that they have fallen.

The average number of butterflies seen per count was 10.8, down from 13 in 2021 and the lowest since the project began 12 years ago.

The decline was seen across all species, with the large white, small white and peacock butterflies all showing significant decreases.

The only species to show a slight increase was the red admiral, which is thought to have benefited from the warm weather in the spring.

Dr Richard Fox, head of monitoring at Butterfly Conservation, said the results were “alarming” and showed that “we are in the midst of a butterfly emergency”.

“We are losing these beautiful and important insects from our gardens and countryside at an alarming rate,” he said.

“This is a wake-up call that we need to act now to protect butterflies and other pollinators.”

The charity is calling for urgent pesticide restrictions, as well as changes to farming practices and the creation of more wildflower meadows.

“We need to create a more butterfly-friendly world, where these insects can thrive and play their vital role in pollinating our plants,” said Fox.

What is causing the decline in butterfly numbers?

There are a number of factors that are thought to be contributing to the decline in butterfly numbers, including:

• Climate change
• Habitat loss
• Pesticide use
• Disease

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to butterflies, as it is causing the weather to become more extreme and unpredictable.

Habitat loss is another major factor, as butterflies rely on a variety of habitats, including meadows, woodlands and gardens.

Pesticide use is also a major threat, as it can kill butterflies and their larvae.

Disease can also be a problem, as it can spread quickly through butterfly populations.

What can we do to help butterflies?

There are a number of things that we can do to help butterflies, including:

• Create butterfly-friendly gardens
• Reduce pesticide use
• Support conservation organizations
• Educate others about the importance of butterflies

By taking these steps, we can help to protect butterflies and ensure that they continue to play their vital role in our ecosystem.