Flying into trouble
The summer’s conditions have been the best for a decade for butterflies, with many species being able to fly, feed and breed successfully. The results of the Big Butterfly Count, that took place in August, will soon reveal just how successful a year butterflies have had. However, should the hot weather continue, experts fear that caterpillars of future populations will die through lack of food. A Butterfly Conservation spokesman said: “So far this year, the UK has experienced the perfect combination of a cold winter and warm, settled late spring and summer, enabling spring butterflies to thrive. Species such as Holly Blue, the common whites, Red Admiral and Common Blue could all be in for a bumper Big Butterfly Count. But if the hot weather develops into a drought, the consequences could be catastrophic for butterflies as plants wither away and the next generation of butterfly caterpillars starve to death.” Meanwhile Sir David Attenborough has said that watching butterflies is good for our health: “I have been privileged to have witnessed some truly breathtaking wildlife spectacles in far-flung locations, but some of my most memorable experiences have happened when I’ve been simply sitting and watching the wildlife that lives where I do. Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life. It enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the wildlife that lives side-by-side with us.” Look out for the results of the 2018 Big Butterfly Count at bigbutterflycount.org