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Posted: 18th September 2024

Butterfly Emergency declared after latest count
The gatekeeper butterfly was the most common, but still saw an 18 per cent decrease in numbers.
Big Butterfly Count 2024 revealed lowest numbers on record.

Butterfly Conservation has called on the UK government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’, after this year’s count recorded the lowest butterfly numbers in its history.

After this year’s Big Butterfly Count, more than 9,000 responses recorded that they had not seen a single butterfly – the highest number in the Count’s 14-year history.

The Big Butterfly Count 2024 took place from 12 July-4 August, with over 85,000 citizen scientists taking part. Participants were encouraged to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies in gardens, parks or the countryside.

Just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK, down almost 600,000 from the total in 2023.

On average, participants spotted just seven butterflies per 15-minute count, a 50 per cent reduction on last year.

The most common butterfly was the gatekeeper butterfly, which was recorded 190,413 times but still saw an 18 per cent decrease. Eighty-one per cent of species saw a decline in comparison to 2023.

It was the worst summer in Big Butterfly Count history for a third of butterfly species, including the common blue, green-veined white, painted lady and Scotch argus.

These statistics have alarmed scientists, prompting the charity to declare a nationwide ‘Butterfly Emergency’.

The charity has now written an open letter to the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Steve Reed, calling on the government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’. It wants an outright ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, which can be fatal to butterflies.

When used on farmland, the pesticides can reach wild flowers growing at field edges. This can lead to butterflies, moths and caterpillars ingesting contaminated materials.

Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “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.”

To sign Butterfly Conservation’s open letter to the UK government, visit their website. Signing closes on 13 October 2024.

Image © Shutterstock



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