The Latest Breaking News from Butterfly Conservation

Butterflywatch: UV torches aid monitoring of rare and elusive species

Conservation groups count glow-in-the-dark caterpillars and chrysalises which are hard to spot in daylight

The Guardian - UK · Apr 30, 2025

Last summer was second worst for common UK butterflies since 1976

More than half of Britain’s 59 native species are in long-term decline, UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme finds

The Guardian - UK · Apr 2, 2025

Half of UK butterfly species are in long-term decline - and humans are to blame

New monitoring has revealed that three species suffered their worst year ever in 2024

The Independent UK · Apr 1, 2025

‘Butterfly emergency’ declared as UK summer count hits record low

Conservation group calls on government to ban insect-killing neonicotinoid pesticides outright

The Guardian - UK · Sep 18, 2024

‘This year has been dead’: where have Britain’s insects gone?

Surveys suggest that wet weather and habitat deterioration are among the causes of devastating population declines, but there are ways to help

The Guardian - UK · Aug 15, 2024

Where are all the butterflies? Possibly in your shed

The Butterfly Conservation charity’s big butterfly count asks the UK public to record butterflies wherever they see them each summer. In 2024 so far, sightings are the lowest in the survey’s 14-year history.

The Conversation · Aug 6, 2024

The frogs may be gone, but life goes on: how I regained my faith in gardening for wildlife

The extremes of the climate crisis mean it’s harder than ever to provide a garden haven for birds, insects and other animals

The Guardian - UK · Aug 4, 2024

Join the Big Butterfly Count and help the environment - here's how to get involved

Almost 95,000 people took part last year

GoodToKnow · Aug 2, 2024

‘Warning sign to us all’ as UK butterfly numbers hit record low

Conservation charity raises alarm over climate crisis after wet spring and summer dampen mating chances

The Guardian - UK · Jul 29, 2024

As British butterflies head north, scientists ask public to help track migration

With up to 80% of butterflies in decline, people are being asked to spend 15 minutes to record number and type witnessed

The Guardian - UK · Jul 12, 2024