Wildlife

Butterfly Welfare: Habitat Loss and Climate Disruption

Three quarters of UK butterfly species have declined since 1976 reflecting the collapse of insect-rich habitats.

Key Facts

76 percent of UK butterfly species declined between 1976 and 2014
High brown fritillary has declined by 96 percent and is now severely threatened
Butterflies are important pollinators and indicators of habitat quality
Climate change is enabling some species to colonise north but is threatening others
The high brown fritillary requires bracken-covered sunny woodland rides for breeding

Welfare Considerations

Butterfly welfare is threatened at every life stage. Egg-laying on unsuitable plants wastes reproductive investment. Larval welfare is compromised by pesticide exposure which causes developmental abnormalities. Pupae are vulnerable to soil disturbance and inappropriate management. Adult butterflies are killed by traffic and face starvation when nectar sources are unavailable. Climate disruption causes phenological mismatches between butterflies and their food plants.

What You Can Do

Create butterfly-friendly gardens with native nectar plants and larval food plants
Support Butterfly Conservation habitat management projects on grassland and woodland
Participate in Big Butterfly Count each summer to track population trends
Campaign for agri-environment payments that restore flower-rich grassland habitats
Oppose development on or near important butterfly habitat including calcareous grassland