Drug claim confusion
Experts say drastic drop in butterfly numbers exposes fragile state of country’s eco-system Experts in a flutter over species poll
An English language training provider caught up in drug allegations in China has said it remains in the dark about the police investigation.
Four Britons are among the 19 people arrested by officials, with seven of those detained being teachers with Education First.
None of its students were involved in the offences, the firm said.
An EF spokesman said it had heard nothing further about the custody status of those who had been arrested last week.
The spokesman added: “We take the allegations very seriously and we are fully co-operating with the authorities on this matter.”
The image of a butterfly dancing from flower to flower is one that, for many of us, instantly transports us back to childhood.
But wildlife and conservation experts are warning that iconic butterflies such as the Small
Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Small Copper are in decline in the UK.
Indeed, research shows 76% of the UK’S resident and regular migrant butterflies, and two- thirds of our larger moths, are dwindling, with climate change among the main reasons cited.
The Small Tortoiseshell, with its distinctive orange and black markings, has decreased by 63% over the past 40 years, while Small Copper numbers have also decreased by over 50% in the same period. Sir
Dav id The picture for butterflies in Scotland isn’t clear, with some species increasing greatly in the past four decades, possibly because of climate change, and others declining.
For example, the Orange-tip and Ringlet species are now very common in Scotland due to warming weather.
One common garden species that has decreased greatly is the Small Tortoiseshell, which has decreased by 63% over past 40 years. Small Coppers have also decreased by over 50% in the same period.
There are more than 30 species of butterfly in Scotland, but only six or seven that we will commonly find in our gardens.
Scotland is also home to some very rare species, including the Northern Brown Argus, the Large Heath and the Small Blue.