A Butterfly Emergency

 Butterfly enthusiasts throughout the county, and nationally, had suspected for weeks that this summer was going to be one of the worst for our Lepidoptera, and the release of the data for this summer's Big Butterfly Count has confirmed our suspicions. Butterfly numbers in the East Midlands throughout the count were down by a staggering 45% compared to last year. Virtually every species suffered a decline, some of them quite dramatically. Only three species actually showed an increase.

In total 4163 people submitted 6841 counts in 2024 between the 13th of July and the 4th of August. The average number of butterflies and day-flying moths per count in the region was 6 (7 nationally) compared to 11 in 2023.

The most recorded butterfly in the 2023 summer count was the Red Admiral, and numbers were maintained right into the autumn months where vast numbers were seen feeding on Ivy flowers. This species failed to maintain its position at the top in 2024 after suffering a whopping 88% decline in comparison to last year. The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly continued its rapid decline in numbers with an alarming 82% fall in numbers year on year, and the ever present Comma was down 63% on last year.

The Ringlet, which had a relatively poor year in 2023 bounced back with an increase of 92% in comparison with last year's count, and that other summer stalwart, the Marbled White, continued its expansion throughout the region with a massive 447% increase. 

Male and Female Marbled White. (447% up on 2023)
Photograph by Richard Jeffery

The top 4 butterflies in the region in this year's Big Butterfly Count were as follows:

1.    Large White        7427 (-38% on 2023)

2.    Small White        6970 (-46%)

3.    Gatekeeper          6279 (-41%)

4     Meadow Brown  4983 (-14%)

The full set of results for the UK can be found on the Butterfly Conservation website.

The Large White. The most recorded butterfly in
the 2024 Big Butterfly Count
Photograph by Richard Jeffery

  The burning question that arises here is, what is actually causing this dramatic decline in our county butterflies? There are many contributory factors involved, but the three key ones are Climate Change, habitat loss and the overuse of harmful pesticides. 

It goes without saying of course that Climate Change is a global issue and it is well documented that human activity is directly responsible for the accelerating rise in global temperatures, and for the subsequent unstable weather patterns. As I write there are forest fires in Portugal and much of eastern Europe is suffering damaging floods. The last year has proved to be wetter than normal and the wet autumn, winter and early spring would have undoubtedly contributed to the reduction in numbers of our butterfly species. Species that overwintered as larvae and pupae may well have drowned or rotted in extreme damp conditions. As the main flight periods for many species approached we experienced fewer sunny days, with grey skies accompanied by very keen winds. Not ideal conditions for butterflies at all.

Since the Second World War we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows, and seen vast swathes of land turned over to intensive agriculture or housing. It is important here to note that the area of gardens we tend around our homes equates to a larger area than all of our nature reserves put together. This is where we can all help. 

What exactly can we do to help our butterflies and subsequently other species too? The first, and most important, thing we can all do (well done if you already have) is to ditch the sprays. Avoid using any form of pesticide or herbicide to allow the natural balance of pest versus predator to re-establish. Grow plants that provide nectar and also plants that will host larvae too. Try to include a few native wildflowers in your borders and containers. Make the switch to growing your plants in Peat Free composts. Encourage your neighbours to do the same. To learn all about gardening for butterflies please use the following link to take you to the gardening section of the Butterfly Conservation website. 

https://butterfly-conservation.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/gardening

One other way you can help is to lobby your local MP and tell him/her that you are worried about the lack of butterflies (and moths, bumblebees, wasps, ladybirds and so on). Butterfly Conservation has also drafted an open letter to the new secretary for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steven Reed MP) calling on him to declare a 'Nature Emergency' and to bring about an immediate ban on harmful neonicotinoid pesticides and BC asks each and every one of us to sign it and share it with all family, friends and colleagues. 

Our butterflies do not have a voice. We can speak and act for them. PLEASE SIGN this letter as soon as you can. To add your name to the list please follow this link:

https://butterfly-conservation.org/emergency

I would like to close by reminding you all that our butterflies are pretty resilient. Given the right conditions they can and probably will bounce back. A good spring and summer in 2025 would certainly help immensely, but small actions carried out by each and everyone of us now can make a huge difference. PLEASE do whatever you can to prevent this 'emergency' getting any worse.

Many thanks.

Richard M. Jeffery

Butterfly Recorder for Leicestershire & Rutland