Last summer was the fifth worst of nearly half a century for butterflies in Britain, according to the largest scientific survey of insect population in the world.
For the first time since scientific registration began in 1976, more than half of the 59 local species in Britain has a long -term decrease.
He suffered nine types of its worst year ever, including the small turtle that was common, a small copper, a small leader, a large leader and a green white.
Dr. Richard Fox, head of science in the butterfly saveThe “destroyed” butterfly declines said through human actions.
We have destroyed wildlife habitats, and the environment polluted, Insecticides used on a industrial scale He said: “We change the climate. This means that when we have bad weather, the butterfly groups that are already exhausted are very at risk and cannot be worn as they did before-and with climate change, this unusual weather has become more used.”
The common butterflies in gardens, gardens and public countryside have had their second summer from the worst since 1976, with 51 of 59 local species in the number compared to 2023.
Butterfly numbers Annually Because of the volatile British climate, the summer of 2024 was noticeable for wet lifting and relatively cold temperatures. But data from The butterfly monitoring scheme in the United Kingdom (UKBMS), where volunteers are scientifically calculated in more than 3000 sites throughout the country, reveals that 31 local species are in a long -term decrease.
The decline in the small turtle is the perplexing scientists because the butterfly was once everywhere in the gardens and the larvae feed on the stinging nettle, which is a very common plant. It was the summer of 2023 The worst thing in the registration for the small turtleJust for the butterfly to suffer from an additional decrease last year.
While the conservatives recorded Note successes with Reviving the species of the endangered butterfly In recent decades, among those who suffer from their worst years ever, the species have already been listed as threatened “Red List” for British butterflies: the CaptainSmall pearls, Vritellar and Blue Chaalkhill.
After promoting the newsletter
Keeping the butterfly leads calls this year to reduce the cutting of grass in the council and encourage people to leave the long promoter to take advantage of butterflies and insects. Scientific research revealed last year Gardens with long grass increase the abundance of butterfly And types.
“To a large extent, the best thing we can do to help butterflies is to create more habitats,” said Fox. “This is why we call on people and councils throughout the United Kingdom to pledge not to cut their grass this year from April to September: this simple act can make a real and immediate difference in butterflies, mites and other wildlife.”
