Latest news with #butterflies
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Devon butterfly recorder warns of concerning species decline
The number of four species of butterfly in Devon were at their lowest for at least a decade in 2024, new figures Conservation said the number of silver-washed fritillary, dark green fritillary, wood white and small heath were lower than at any time in the past 10 numbers come from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) and Butterflies for the New Millennium (BNM).The charity's Devon branch recorder, Pete Hurst, said humans had "destroyed wildlife habitats", and said poor weather meant "already depleted" populations were vulnerable and unable to bounce back. It comes after the charity revealed 2024 was the fifth worse year overall for butterflies across the UK, with more than half of species in long-term decline for the first time on Hurst extracted figures for 10 local butterfly species in the figures showed the silver-washed fritillary was 26% lower than the previous lowest count and 38% lower for the whole 10-year dark green fritillary was 37% lower than the previous lowest count and 60% lower for the same 10-year period. "Unfortunately, these figures show concerning drops in the numbers of beloved local butterfly species in Devon," Mr Hurst added: "Unfortunately, these figures show concerning drops in the numbers of beloved local butterfly species in Devon. "This is in line with the national picture, and I would expect there to be similar reductions in other Devon species as well."Mr Hurst said long spells of wet weather would have had a "significant negative impact" on butterflies - but he said there was "much more at play".He said damage to habitats, pollution, and the use of pesticides on an "industrial scale" had contributed to the decline - adding climate change meant unusual weather was becoming "more and more usual".
ABC News
25-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
'Monarch mother' Ellen Reid reflects on 50 years of butterfly breeding
If you spot a small orange butterfly fluttering around St Arnaud there is a good chance it was raised by Ellen Reid. The 82-year-old retired pharmacist has been breeding butterflies from her verdant green garden in western Victoria for more than 50 years. It is a passion that took flight in the early 1970s sparked by a chance encounter with famed TV naturalist Harry Butler. "I just think they're wonderful little creatures," Ms Reid said with a laugh. Every year she contributes thousands of butterflies of different varieties to St Arnaud's local population, delighting as they slowly make their way from her home to the town's botanic gardens. "This year alone I've done about 1,500 [Queen] monarchs, as well as several hundred jezebels," she said. "It's lovely. We send them off and hope they'll go and multiply, and that they bring joy to people." Ms Reid has raised queen monarchs, jezabels and yellow admirals for decades. Once fully grown she sets them free to flutter wherever wind and wing carry them. But this year, with dry conditions dragging on, most have stayed closer to home, clustering in large numbers throughout the gardens. Ms Reid says watching the butterfly's transformation — from egg to caterpillar, then to butterfly — is part of the joy of the job. "In about 10 to 14 days it transforms from a leaf-processing creature to a nectar-drinking butterfly," she said. It is not something she keeps to herself. She gives away cocoons to community members and zoos keen to assist with butterfly conservation. The butterflies feast on nectar-rich plants called buddlejas that Ms Reid grows especially for them. "We've got 40 different buddlejas so that we've got nectar all year," she said. Her daughter, Jean Reid, said butterflies had been a constant throughout her life. She said it was all she had ever known since the age of four. "I grew up thinking everybody bred butterflies and I used to take them to school. It's just something that we do. "You never ever get used to seeing a butterfly being born. "It's something that everybody should watch once in their lifetime and I'm so very blessed to have it just about every day." Ellen Reid said butterfly gardening, simply put, was a beautiful thing to do. "It adds magic to the garden." Ellen and Jean Reid are not alone in their efforts. They have shared cocoons with several businesses around town helping to spark joy, colour and biodiversity at the same time. Local gardener Barry Robertson is in awe of Ms Reid's dedication. "I just think Ellen's a remarkable woman because of what she's done here," he said. "Over the years they've been through a bit of trial and error, and a bit of hardship with the different seasons. "But I think it's got to a stage now where she's very happy with what she's doing." Mr Robertson said her passion has sparked special moments of joy around town. Ms Reid is not eyeing retirement from the caper just yet. It is something that brings too much joy. The Reids dream of establishing a butterfly education centre in St Arnaud — a place to inspire others and share what they have learned. But until then, Ellen Reid will keep filling her garden, and her town, with quiet flashes of colour, one butterfly at a time.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Scotney Castle field of butterflies set up for hospice patients
A special remembrance space has been created at a National Trust castle for families to reflect and remember loved ones who received hospice care. Hospice in the Weald teamed up with Scotney Castle near Lamberhurst in Kent to install the Meadow of Memories which features more than 450 handcrafted steel butterflies dedicated to Edwards from Kent, whose father Terry was cared for at the Tunbridge Wells-based Hospice in the Weald, said: "I know first-hand what families go through during one of the darkest times of their life."Being able to come to the garden and see the butterfly that I've dedicated for my dad has been really special." More than 400 supporters have purchased a butterfly and so far more than £29,000 has been raised for the Edwards added: "The care the hospice's team gave to my dad, and our whole family, was nothing short of phenomenal. "We have dedicated a butterfly in memory of my dad, and I am so proud to be involved with this initiative." Katie Greywood, director of income generation at Hospice in the Weald, said the hospice was "honoured" to launch the remembrance display. "As a cherished local landmark, Scotney Castle offers the perfect setting to pause, remember, and find comfort in shared tribute," she said."As a powerful symbol of change and renewal, the butterfly sculptures have resonated with our dedicated supporters whose loved ones were cared for by the hospice."The Meadows of Memories will be at the castle until 26 May. On the same day, supporters who have dedicated a butterfly will attend a special remembrance ceremony.
CBC
19-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Rebuilding after forest fires, butterfly decline, new Canadian baseball star and more
Fire season has already started in Canada, with several communities having been given evacuation orders. But in British Columbia, some condo owners are still living with the consequences of a fire that was put out years ago. And: With spring and summer taking hold in Canada, it is normally a time to see butterflies fluttering around. But according to a recent study, the numbers of butterflies are dramatically dropping. And a large part of the butterfly population has vanished. Also: In a league of her own. One of Japan's top female baseball stars took to the mound for a pro men's team in Canada. She pitched two shut out innings for the Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball team in her debut. Plus: child obesity, robotic healthcare, being detained at U.S. border and more.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ask the Expert: Why are vegetables twisted and misshapen when harvested?
Question: For the past two years, I have planted root crops including carrots, radishes and beets, and most of these vegetables are small, twisted and misshaped when I harvest them. I have tried different varieties with nearly the same result. What causes this? Answer: There could be a few potential causes for this fairly common problem. Overcrowding seedlings is the most common cause of this problem, particularly with carrots, onions and radishes. It's fine to seed these crops thickly to assure even spacing in the row, but you should thin out seedlings after germination as overcrowded seedlings will compete for water, nutrients and space, which often causes stunted or distorted growth. Other possible causes include compacted or heavy soils when growing in the ground, or a too shallow raised bed or container when growing in beds or containers. Whatever the cause, these 'ugly vegetables' are perfectly edible. Q: I have terrible deer pressure in my landscape, and some rabbit damage as well, so I continually apply wildlife repellents to many of my plants. I have a lot of pollinator plants to attract bees and butterflies and I'm wondering if these repellents are harmful to bees and other pollinators. A: Most wildlife repellents contain capsaicin, which is the compound that makes peppers taste hot. Research has been done to determine whether capsaicin is harmful to bees and the conclusions have been that it does not pose a risk to bees or other pollinators. Some wildlife repellents contain predator urine, particularly coyote urine, which repels deer. I have not seen any research which explored whether urine-based repellents pose any risk to bees and other pollinators. Q: We planted eight arborvitae last summer as a living fence. This winter and early spring, we noticed that three of these shrubs had turned to brown and now orange. What causes this and will the affected plants recover? A: Arborvitae is a shrub which is widely used as a hedge, screen or living fence in the home landscape. I have noticed a large number of brown and orange arborvitae around the Greater Columbus, Ohio this spring. While there are a couple of different insects which attack arborvitae — most notably bagworm and scale — damage from these insects typically appears after a couple of seasons of infestation. Bags of the bagworm are also pretty noticeable hanging from affected branches of arborvitae. My guess is that many of these plants were killed by a lack of moisture associated with the droughty conditions which we experienced throughout much of Ohio last summer. Arborvitaes need an even amount of soil moisture to grow and thrive. They really suffer when put under drought stress. As a general rule, newly transplanted shrubs need to be watered frequently during the first season, and this is particularly true when precipitation is sparse. Arborvitaes which have turned completely brown or orange will not recover and will need to be replaced, and watered well! Editor's note: Throughout the growing season, Mike Hogan, OSU Extension educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Franklin County, will answer gardening and home landscape questions submitted by Columbus Dispatch readers. Send your questions to hogan.1@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ask the Expert: Harvesting misshapen vegetables
