Rain leaves butterflies at risk as numbers fall

A study of 223,000 butterflies and day-flying moths found the population of 15 of the 21 species had fallen.

Eleven common butterfly types had decreased by more than a third compared with last year, according to the Big Butterfly Count 2012.

Butterfly Conservation said the heaviest rainfall over the summer months for 100 years was putting many already threatened species at risk.

Richard Fox, the charity’s surveys manager, said: “The summer of 2012 will be remembered for its awful weather and many of our beautiful butterflies have suffered the full force of torrential rain, strong winds and low temperatures.

“We’re on track for one of the worst years on record for UK butterflies. Gardens were bereft of butterflies for much of the summer, robbing people of a quintessential sight of the season.”

More than 25,000 people across the country took part in this year’s study – the world’s largest butterfly count.

Most species recorded year-on-year decreases, with the number of Common Blue butterflies down by 50 per cent and the Speckled Wood population falling by 65 per cent. The Red Admiral, which was abundant last summer, fell sharply, with numbers down by 72 per cent. All the white butterflies declined as did garden favourites such as the Holly Blue and Brimstone. Some butterfly species did show increased numbers, with Meadow Brown counts up by 186 per cent to become Britain’s most abundant species.