'This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation 'as national emergency declared
The warning comes after Greater Manchester recorded just 6,340 butterflies and day-flying moths during last year's Big Butterfly Count.
It is part of a wider decline seen across the country, according to conservation charity Butterfly Conservation.
People are being asked to take part in the Big Butterfly Count (Image: Harrison Bates)
The charity has described the figures as the lowest in the history of the count and part of a long-term downward trend linked to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use.
Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: "This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come.
"Butterflies are beautiful, yes — but they're also incredibly important bioindicators.
"This means that as they continue to disappear, as they have over recent decades, it indicates something is going seriously wrong in our natural world.
"We need to heed that warning and take action before it's too late."
In Greater Manchester, 1,491 counts were submitted in 2024, with the Large White butterfly the most commonly recorded species.
In Greater Manchester, 1,491 counts were submitted in 2024 (Image: Supplied)
The Big Butterfly Count began on Friday, July 18 and continues until August 10, with Butterfly Conservation urging people of all ages and backgrounds to take part.
Butterflies have declined by 80 per cent since the 1970s, and Dr Fox said their rapid response to environmental changes makes them key indicators of wider ecosystem health.
Dr Fox said: "If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty — we lose balance in our ecosystems and that will have serious repercussions for wildlife in the UK.
"Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count only takes 15 minutes and it's something everybody in Greater Manchester can do.
"If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer.
"Every count really does make a difference."
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Taking part in the count involves spending 15 minutes outdoors, recording the butterflies and day-flying moths seen during that time, and submitting the results online or via the free Big Butterfly Count app.
Each sighting helps scientists track species trends and understand the effects of climate and habitat changes.
Participants' data also contribute to a live, interactive biodiversity map of the UK, accessible through the Big Butterfly Count website and app.
More information and resources are available at www.bigbutterflycount.org.
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