The
good news is that butterfly numbers have risen since 2016. The bad news is that
overall populations are still way below average.
New
figures, published this week from the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme
(UKBMS), reveal how our butterflies fared last year in comparison to previous
years dating back to the 1970s.
Last
year's data has raised concerns for some of our common species. The UK's white
butterflies particularly struggled in 2017. The Large White dropped 19%,
confirming fears that the species is in a state of long term decline.
The
Small White saw a fall of 16% and the Green-veined White followed suit with a 2%
drop reported. One butterfly that bucked the downward trend is the less common
White Admiral. Numbers of this striking, woodland butterfly soared by
157%.
Find
out which butterflies bounced back and which two species suffered their worst
year on record.
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