The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Butterfly fans in flap as numbers plummet
Small tortoiseshell struggles to breed and feed
Conservationists are warning of the decline of one of the UK’s best-loved butterflies.
Numbers of the small tortoiseshell – which is one of the most recognisable and widespread in the country – appear to have plummeted this summer.
This year numbers have been worryingly low as the cool spring and slow start to the summer appear to have taken their toll on the butterfly’s attempts to breed and feed. Small tortoiseshell sightings are significantly down across the UK and gardeners are being asked to look out for the butterfly by joining the garden butterfly survey to help build a picture of what is happening.
Conservationists said the butterfly has endured a tumultuous recent history with its population plummeting by 73% since the 1970s. It had seen its numbers rise over the last few years and hopes were high that it was on the path to recovery but this summer’s poor showing could mean the small tortoiseshell is set for yet more years of decline.
Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation’s head of recording, is appealing for members of the public to report sightings.
“We don’t understand what is causing the drastic long-term decline of this familiar and-much-loved butterfly,” he said.
“Theories involve climate change, pollution and parasitic flies that kill the butterfly’s caterpillars, but we need more information.
“If you see small tortoiseshells or any other butterflies in your garden, the garden butterfly survey provides an easy way to enter your sightings, contribute to citizen science and store your records for posterity.”
Conservationists said butterflies are important indicators of the health of the environment.
By helping them, gardeners can help create a better home for wildlife, especially beneficial insects such as bees that play a vital role in pollinating wildflowers and many crops.
Gardeners are being encouraged to plant butterfly and pollinatorfriendly plants and help record the butterflies they see.
The UK’s estimated 22million gardens represent an area roughly the size of Somerset and, at a time when butterflies are in severe decline, offer a potentially huge and vitally important habitat.
“We don’t understand what is causing the decline”