Butterflies threatened with extinction

The large blue butterfly, which was successfully re-introduced to the UK after dying out here, is endangered throughout Europe, according to the European Red List assessment of species at risk.

And the Duke of Burgundy and Lulworth skipper, which both suffered their worst year in the UK last year, are in decline in many countries across the continent.

The release of the European Red List, commissioned by the European Commission, also revealed 14 per cent of dragonflies and 11 per cent of a group of beetles which rely on decaying wood were at risk of extinction.

Some 22 species of butterfly, 29 types of the "saproxylic" beetles and five different dragonflies are also at risk of becoming extinct globally, according to the assessment led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Conservationists said a loss of habitats, including traditionally-farmed grasslands, woodlands and wetlands, was the major factor affecting insect species.

Dr Martin Warren, author of the report on Europe's butterflies and chief executive of Butterfly Conservation in the UK, said insects were being hit by loss of grassland habitats due to both intensification of agriculture and abandonment of farming land.

Nearly a third (31 per cent) of Europe's 435 butterfly species have declining populations.

While the large blue butterfly's re-introduction in the UK was a success, it is "very much the exception" as it is declining in every country where it occurs, Dr Warren said yesterday.

European Red List co-ordinator Annabelle Cuttelod said most butterflies at risk were in southern Europe.

Along with changes in agriculture, species are threatened by climate change, forest fires and the expansion of tourism.

The Madeiran large white butterfly is critically endangered (possibly extinct), having not been seen on Madeira for 20 years, and the Macedonian grayling butterfly is critically endangered because quarrying is reducing its habitat.

The main threats to saproxlic beetles, which depend on decaying wood and play an essential role in recycling nutrients, are logging and the decline in the number of mature trees.