Big Butterfly Count results reveal lowest numbers on record
Butterfly Conservation is calling on the government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ and to ban neonicotinoid pesticides. It comes after the charity’s Big Butterfly Count 2024 saw the lowest number of the insects spotted in its 14 year history.
It says that a third of species have had their worst year on record ever and that more than 9,000 Big Butterfly Counts reported not seeing a single butterfly.
Overall, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per 15-minute Count. The figure is a reduction of almost 50% on last year’s average of 12 – and the lowest in the 14-year history of the Big Butterfly Count.
It was the worst summer in the Count’s history for Common Blue, Holly Blue, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Scotch Argus.
And more than 80% of species showed declines in the number seen this year – compared with 2023. In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK from 12 July – 4 August.
The figure is down by almost 600,000 which is equivalent to more than a third of 2023’s total. Incredibly, 9,000 Counts were logged as seeing zero butterflies.
The figures have alarmed scientists and resulted in the charity declaring a nationwide ‘Butterfly Emergency.’
‘Worst year on record’
‘The previous lowest average number of butterflies per Count was nine in 2022, this latest figure is 22% lower than that, which is very disturbing,’ says Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation.
‘Not just that, but a third of the species recorded in the Big Butterfly Count have had their worst year on record, and no species had their best. The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies.’
‘Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call.’
‘We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations.’
Butterfly Conservation is writing an open letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling for the government to act now – and ban neonicotinoid pesticides.
‘When used on farmland, these chemicals make their way into the wild plants growing at field edges, resulting in adult butterflies and moths drinking contaminated nectar and caterpillars feeding on contaminated plants.’
‘Many European countries have already banned these chemicals, it’s time for the UK to follow suit and put the natural world first.’
‘If we don’t act now to address the long-term drivers of butterfly decline, we will face extinction events never before seen in our lifetime.’
More than 85,000 people took part in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count this year. They submitted a total of 143,241 Counts.
The charity says the incredible figure is equivalent to 35,810 hours, or four years’ worth of time spent by ‘citizen scientists’ counting, in their gardens, local parks, school grounds and the countryside.
‘If every single person who helped with the Count this summer signs our letter to the Government, we could prevent the very real and pressing threat of species becoming extinct in our lifetime.’
