Latest news with #butterflies
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘Magical': butterfly sightings across the UK this summer
'I spend my time recording and photographing wildlife and am the Northants county recorder for diptera (true flies). In the last couple of weeks, I've taken photos of some common butterflies in the woods around here including brimstones (pictured), large skippers and gatekeepers. They are typical of this area and of the midlands as a whole.' John, Rothwell Photograph: John/Guardian Community 'I live in the countryside and it's been an incredible year for butterflies – we've seen marbled whites, tortoiseshells (pictured), red admirals and ringlets. I always think of an entry in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady where she says she turned a corner into a lane and walked into a cloud of meadow browns. It makes me sad that this almost never happens these days, though this year, walking past butterfly-friendly plants, there have been small clouds of gatekeepers and meadow browns and it's magical.' Charlotte, West Yorkshire Photograph: Charlotte/Guardian Community A hairstreak butterfly: 'This year has been much better for butterflies and I try and take part in the big butterfly count. The number of bigger butterflies seem to have been reasonable but I think the dry conditions have meant some of the food plants like black knapweed have suffered. I was in Castleton recently and stood watching a buddleia covered in different butterflies such as red admirals and small tortoiseshells – it's been a while since I'd seen so many butterflies in one place.' Chris, South Yorkshire Photograph: Chris/Guardian Community 'Visiting nature reserves such as Bradfield Woods, Strumpshaw Fen and canoeing on the broads we have seen lots of butterflies this year. This photo of a Swallowtail was at How Hill in Norfolk.' Phil, Suffolk Photograph: Phil /Guardian Community 'So far this year I have seen 31 butterfly species within 30 miles of Bath, and I expect to see several more by the end of the summer. Some species like small tortoiseshell have not fared well but others have. Marsh fritillaries bred at their only known North Somerset site for the first time in six years, and wandering individuals turned up in some strange place around Bath and Bristol, miles from any suitable habitat. In woodland areas, Silver-washed fritillaries (pictured) seem to be doing well and I've found them drinking in the mud by springs and streams in the dry weather.' Mike, Bath Photograph: Mike/Guardian Community 'After last year being so bleak for butterflies, it's good to see many more this summer. Brimstones, orange tips and whites have all been seen in numbers, followed by a much better year for peacocks and red admirals. Small tortoiseshells, that used to be everywhere once upon a time, still seem to be struggling but at least more sightings this year. Pictured is a marbled white seen near the chalk pit of the old railway line in Kiplincotes.' Steph, East Yorkshire Photograph: Steph/Guardian Community 'This was quite an unusual sighting. The purple emperor is usually seen around the tops of large oaks, this male was seen at the top of the Malvern Hills.' Ian, Worcestershire Photograph: Ian/Guardian Community 'I have a rather wild garden with a pond and as many insect friendly plants as I can fit in. Last year I saw a few butterflies, this year there have been clouds of butterflies and many day-flying moths. Most of the common species like gatekeepers (pictured) have visited but no blues yet.' Will Cave, 63, GP, South Somerset Photograph: Will Cave/Guardian Community 'Summer for me means getting out and photographing dragonflies and butterflies. On a recent trip to Suffolk I visited a number of nature reserves and was pleased to see lots of butterflies about this year. Favourites include a silver-studded blue on Westleton Heath (pictured), a green-veined white at Minsmere and a comma at Hen Reedbeds.' Alan, Cambridge Photograph: Alan/Guardian Community
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Butterflies use 'second head' on wings to trick predators
Do you ever wish you had two heads?Perhaps you use one to concentrate on what the teacher is saying in class, and the other to look out the window or eat a snack. No? Just us?While humans might not have evolved second heads quite yet, many butterflies have cleverly developed wings to look just like second theory is butterflies developed these wings to trick pesky predators. The hope is that predators take a chomp at the butterfly's wings, rather than their means they can keep vital organs safe and have a chance to at the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) believe they have worked out why butterflies have developed this remarkable ability. How do the second heads work? Entomologists are scientists who study at the IISER analysed pictures of 928 species of butterflies and their identified patterns on wings which looked like second can display traits like fake antennae, spots that look like eyes, a head-like shape and eye-catching colours to trick predators."We found that most false head traits in butterflies evolved in a correlated pattern," said researchers Tarunkishwor Yumnam and Ullasa believe that these traits evolved together, helping to protect many butterfly species from their predators."Our findings support the idea that a false head functions as an adaptive constellation for predator attack deflection," they write in their study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B in July.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
How YOU can help butterflies, just by counting them
Do you love spotting butterflies as they flutter through the flowers? Well, you can help to protect them - just by counting each one that you see. The Big Butterfly Count is back from 18 July to 10 August, and everyone in the UK invited to take part. Last year, butterfly numbers were at their lowest in 14 years. Some well-known species like the Small White, Common Blue, and Small Tortoiseshell had their worst summer ever. Experts are worried that butterflies are disappearing because of habitat loss, climate change, pollution and other year's warm, sunny weather is better for butterflies, but they still need help and counting butterflies can give scientists important information about how these insects are doing in different parts of the UK. In 2024 a decline in numbers was put down to a wet spring and cooler summer, however butterfly numbers have seen a general decline since the 1970s. Experts warn that things like loss of habitat, climate change and chemicals used in pesticides are largely to blame. Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation said: "Butterfly numbers fluctuate from year to year in response to the weather, and the warm, sunny conditions over recent weeks have been much better for butterflies than the wetter, cool conditions last year, which resulted in one of the worst years for UK butterflies on record."How much butterflies have bounced back will only become clear if people get out, in their thousands, to take part in the Big Butterfly Count," he said. "Although the recent sunshine is great for adult butterflies, the growing drought across many parts of Britain is bad news for their caterpillar offspring, which need growing plants to feed on." How do I get involved in the Big Butterfly Count? To take part, first you need to ask a grown-up to go onto the Big Butterfly Count website. You can then go out together, and maybe take a friend or sibling with you, and find an outdoor a 15 minute timer, and see how many butterflies you count in that them down, and see if you can spot certain colours or types of count runs from Friday 18th July to Sunday 10th August 2025.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Experts try new method to help butterflies hit by record heat
Adaptations to some butterflies' habitats are being made to help them cope with erratic weather driven by climate Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is hoping for a bumper year for butterflies in 2025 following the record-breaking spring heat, but warns overall the insects' populations are drastically trust is trialling four e-shaped mounds, called butterfly banks, on its Coombe Bisset reserve to offer the creatures a space both to warm up and to cool down during Longley, the trust's conservation lead for the south of Wiltshire, said: "If you have a decline in butterflies then that shows a worrying degradation of the ecosystem that supports them." Butterfly banks are normally "S" shaped to provide maximum surface area for the creatures to sun themselves, as often they get insufficient warmth to the new "E" shape, which was developed by ecologists from the University of Cambridge, also provides shady nooks for the insects to cool themselves during ecologist involved in the project explained the mounds of chalk are designed to mimic Wiltshire's chalk planes - a vital butterfly habitat that has disappeared from other parts of the country. Ms Longley said record-breaking weather of any kind is a really worrisome sign of how climate change is affecting all these environments. "It's the unpredictable nature of it that causes so many problems."The opportunity to get an early start has done a lot of butterfly species a lot of good."But the worry now is that if this moves into a summer drought, we might see problems with not enough food plants and not enough nectar resources for them," she added. Last year's annual butterfly count revealed eight species had the worst year on record and the total number of butterflies recorded dropped by 600,000 compared to 2023's Longley said the drop was largely down to habitat fragmentation due to urban development and agriculture as well as erratic weather, and described butterflies as a good "indicator species" of the health of the habitat around them. "Due to their specific requirements in terms of food plants and weather conditions, they can really show the wider trends in the natural landscape," she said.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Lidl's £1.99 plant bundle that flowers all summer is ‘incredible deal' says Gardening Pro & butterflies love it
THERE'S trouble in paradise. Recent butterfly numbers in our gardens have been so low that experts are really worried. They're a 'key indicator' species, according to Dr Richard Fox, head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. 3 3 'When they are in trouble, we know that the wider environment is in trouble too' he told Sun Gardening. 'Last year, nature sounded the alarm call and we were able to respond, securing a complete ban from the Government on particularly toxic neonicotinoid pesticides on crops in 2025,' he said. 'Now we are calling on people across the UK to get involved once again, to enjoy 15 minutes out spotting and counting butterflies, and helping us to see how butterflies are faring this year.' In last year's worrying count, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per count - a reduction of almost 50 per cent on the previous year and the lowest in the count's history. It was also the worst summer for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue. This year - all you need to do is to find a spot on a hot sunny day - between now and August 10. And then sit for 15 minutes and count how many butterflies you see - identifying them as you go, using their ID chart. You can download the chart and print it out for free HERE - and there' s a free app to help you identify and record the butterflies you spot. If you want to take it further - how about creating a butterfly- friendly garden? You have 20/20 vision if you can spot the hidden butterfly in five seconds – before the camera zooms in Plants like buddleia, verbena, lavender, and marjoram provide nectar throughout the butterfly season. In later summer, plants like Dahlia's, sedums, nepeta and hebes also attract our fluttering friends. And even bedding plants like pansies have their uses. They might not be as popular with the butterflies as buddleia, but they still produce nectar, and are easy to grow. Plus they can bloom all summer - and maybe into autumn if it doesn't get too cold. In an incredible deal, Lidl currently has a pack of ten for just £1.99 - so each plant is only 19p. Avoid pesticides - they harm beneficial insects like bees, ladybirds, and butterflies. Even 'pollinator-friendly' products can contain pesticides, which are toxic to insects. Organic methods such as companion planting are a great alternative - like planting basil near tomatoes to repel aphids, or using nasturtiums to attract beneficial insects and deter pests. And finally, consider letting some of your lawn grow wild. Long grass allows some species of butterflies and moths to complete their life cycle by providing a place to lay eggs and food for caterpillars. It can also allow nectar-rich plants like clover, bluebells, and dandelions to bloom. Also in Veronica's Column this week... News, top tips and competition to win 'In Conversation at Kew' tickets TOP TIP! British Garden Centres has just released a checklist on how to make the most of Balcony Gardening. If your balcony gets plenty of sunlight six hours a day, plant up tomatoes, peppers, basil, rosemary, and thyme, marigolds, bellis, petunias, pansies or fuchsias. For shady spaces, use ferns, ivy, begonias, or even some types of lettuce and salad leaves. Check how much weight your balcony can handle. Lightweight pots made from plastic or fibreglass are easy to move and won't overload your balcony. Windy conditions can dry out plants quickly and even knock over pots, so use ones with heavy bottoms and secure with plant ties or stakes. Pick sturdy, wind resistant plants like succulents, rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses, hardy flowering plants like geraniums and marigolds, and coastal or alpine species adapted to exposed conditions. NEWS! ROSE of the Year 2026 has been announced - and it's a shrub rose called 'Coral Gardens.' Awarded by Roses UK - which promotes British rose breeders and growers - its a competition that's been going since 1982. It's aim is to discover - over a two year trial - the best roses in any given year, This year's winner, by breeders Kordes Rosen - grows up to 80cm tall, has dark coral buds opening out into pink coral flowers - that turn apricot-salmon as they fade. It's described as having a 'delicate fruity fragrance' and also shows 'excellence disease resistance.' WIN!" In Conversations at Kew" is hosting a special Gardeners World Day on September 6 - where host Nicki Chapman will be chatting to Adam Frost and Frances Tophill. We've got two 2 x lunchtime and two afternoon tickets to give away. To enter visit or write to PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 2, 2025. T&Cs apply PLANT OF THE WEEK! Crocosmia Can be a bit of a bully, so stop it from spreading too much - but it offers a real tropical vibe with fiery bright orange or red flowers and lush green leaves. Grows in most soils, sun and partial shade. JOB OF THE WEEK! Plant foxgloves to flower the following Spring, carrots and radishes, and get young courgette seedlings in to harvest before the first frost! TOP TIP! JULY is peak strawberry harvesting season - but it's also a good month to plant new strawberry runners. Runners are the long stems sprouting from your current crop, with baby plants at the end that are actively growing, and ideally have small roots coming out of them. Fill small pots with compost, then place the runner with the plantlet on top of the soil in the pot - and pin it down with a bit of bent wire. Keep the compost moist and within weeks you should see new leaves. Once it's got a good root system, you can cut it from the parent and get it into a bigger pot, or straight into the bed. TOP TIP! Hanging baskets are really struggling in this heat. It's advisable to water them every day - sometimes twice, as they dry out so quickly. And have a re-think if everything's dying. Succulents look good hanging over the side of baskets - and don't need as much water. As do ivy-leaf trailing geraniums, English Ivy, million bells - aka Calibrachoa and Lantana. Think about mixing in water-retaining gel crystals as well - which can really boost the moisture levels. I've used Miracle Gro 's to great success.
