Butterflies flit towards disaster as heatwave dries up food sources

BRITAIN’S butterflies could suffer their worst decline in 40 years, conservationists have warned, as the heatwave withers plants just as gardeners are banned from using hosepipes.

Experts are worried that populations will suffer a similar catastrophic decline as happened after the scorching summer of 1976, when butterfly numbers fell by nearly 60 per cent.

That summer was the hottest since records began more than 350 years ago. Temperatures topped 89.6F (32C) for 15 consecutive days across much of southern England, causing the worst drought in 150 years.

Although this year’s heatwave has not reached that level, water companies including United Utilities in the north-west have imposed hosepipe bans and restrictions, making it harder for gardeners to keep their plants alive.

Butterfly Conservation, a charity, is warning that without leaves for caterpillars to feed on, the next generation of butterflies will starve to death.

Richard Fox, a scientist at the charity, said it was important for gardeners to keep watering their plants in the hot The small tortoiseshell butterfly, above, is one of many species declining in numbers weather, saying that 1976 was the “worst drought there had been since records began and it did have a very significant impact on butterflies”.

He added: “Almost all species crashed and that was related to the death of plants. In drought conditions, plants and trees lose their leaves, and without them, the caterpillars will just starve to death.

“We’re now at the uncertain and rather scary point of not knowing whether that is about to happen again. If this heatwave continues into next month we really could see a repeat.

“Watering plants is important so they can keep flowering and providing nectar, which gives butterflies the energy to keep going, and for breeding.”

Today, the charity launches its Big Butterfly Count, which encourages people to spot and record 17 species of common butterflies and two day-flying moths for the next three weeks.

More than three quarters of the UK’S butterflies have declined in the last 40 years with some common species, such as the small tortoiseshell, suffering significant slumps.

The RSPB also encouraged gardeners to leave water out for birds, which also suffered dramatic declines following the 1976 summer.