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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Emily Beament

Half of UK butterfly species in long-term decline, monitoring reveals

More than half of UK butterfly species are now in long-term decline, as humans destroy habitats, use pesticides and drive climate change, experts said.

The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, run by a coalition of conservation organisations, has also revealed that 2024 was one of the worst on record for butterflies in the UK with species including the small tortoiseshell, the chalk hill blue and small copper suffering their worst year ever.

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