Butterfly populations on the decline

The latest results of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), are available online at http://www.ukbms.org/.  The scheme, partly funded by JNCC as part of our surveillance programme involves thousands of volunteers collecting data every week throughout the summer period.

This year’s results show that whilst a few species saw an increase in their numbers, the overall picture for many butterflies is bleak.  Some of the hardest hit are familiar garden species such as Common Blue, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.  The reasons for this decline can be linked to last year’s cold summer and a widespread loss or fragmentation of suitable habitat.

Other Official Statistics we publish under the UK Biodiversity Statistics suite can be found here .