It’s hard to imagine a world without
butterflies flitting from flower to flower,
but two-thirds of the UK’s native species
are facing devastating declines.
Our data shows that butterflies and
moths are both declining faster than most
other well-documented groups of plants and
animals. Since 1976 UK butterfly abundance
across all species has declined by 50%.
This month the charity also released its most
recent report on on the state of Britain’s moths,
which shows that the total abundance of all
larger moths decreased by 33% over a
50-year period between 1968-2017.
Both butterflies and moths are valuable
environmental indicators, both for their rapid
and sensitive responses to subtle habitat or
climate changes and as representatives for
the diversity and responses of other wildlife.
Falling numbers are an early warning to all
wildlife that cannot be ignored.The wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation
has been working tirelessly to stop the future
looking so bleak for these creatures. It employs
over 70 people, including many highly qualified
scientists, making it the world’s largest research
institute for butterflies and moths.
Over the past 40 years, it has raised awareness
of the drastic decline in butterflies and moths and
has created widespread acceptance that action
needs to be taken. Through its conservation
work, it has also begun to reverse the decline of
several of the most threatened species.
These include the Pearl-bordered Fritillary,
High Brown Fritillary, Duke of Burgundy, Wood
White, Heath Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, SmallPlanet Boost
Blue, and the Grey Carpet and Forester moths.
The charity has also played a vital role in
re-introducing the Large Blue to the UK after
it became extinct.
There is, however, much more that needs to
be done, but as with so many charities, Butterfly
Conservation was not left unscathed from the
Covid-19 pandemic. The financial impact will be
felt for years to come, and the charity must now
cut-back on its much-needed conservation work,
unless it can make up the shortfall of funds.
As the charity’s President Sir David
Attenborough has said: “If we don’t take action,
the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction
of much of the natural world is on the horizon.”Want to help?
Help Butterfly Conservation continue the fight back and work for
a safer future for butterflies, moths and all wildlife by donating today at
butterfly-conservation.org/how-you-can-help/give-moneyPlanet Boost is an initiative from New Scientist highlighting charitable
organisations working to conserve biodiversity and protect the natural
environment. Today, a message from Butterfly ConservationCan you help Butterfly Conservation continue
the fight back for the environment?