Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed that this summer's Big Butterfly Count saw the lowest number of butterflies spotted in the survey's 14-year history.
A third of species had their worst year on record ever, and more than 9,000 Big Butterfly Counts reported not seeing a single butterfly.
In light of these results, Butterfly Conservation has called on the Government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ and act now by banning toxic neonicotinoid pesticides, "before it's too late".
The charity said it was the worst year recorded for the for Common Blue, Holly Blue, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Scotch Argus, and the majority of species (81%) showed declines in the number seen this year compared with 2023.
- Discover the UK's largest brown butterfly, the grayling butterfly
- British butterfly guide: how to identify and the best places to spot
The total number of butterflies and day-fling moths recorded during the survey was down almost 600,000, equivalent to more than a third of 2023's total. Nine thousand counts were logged as seeing zero butterflies, the highest in the citizen science survey’s history.
These figures have alarmed scientists and prompted the charity to declare a nationwide ‘Butterfly Emergency’.
Dr Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation, said: “The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies.
“Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations.”
Butterfly Conservation is writing an open letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling for the Government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ and ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.
Neonicotinoid pesticides were banned in the UK in 2018 but have been approved four times in a row in emergencies to tackle a virus that attacks sugar beet.
Dr Fox explains: “When used on farmland, these chemicals make their way into the wild plants growing at field edges, resulting in adult butterflies and moths drinking contaminated nectar and caterpillars feeding on contaminated plants. Many European countries have already banned these chemicals, it’s time for the UK to follow suit and put the natural world first. If we don’t act now to address the long-term drivers of butterfly decline, we will face extinction events never before seen in our lifetime.”
How to help butterflies
Next year's count Big Butterfly Count will take place from 18 July to 10 August 2025. The survey invites you to sit down for 15 minutes in an outdoor setting during sunny conditions and count the types and amount of butterflies you see. You can do as many counts as you like.
