Report finds 80 per cent of butterflies have declined since the 1970s trends now
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Experts have warned they are 'hugely concerned' for the future of Britain's butterflies after a report found 80 per cent of species have declined since the 1970s.
The State of the UK's Butterflies 2022 report, released today, revealed number have dropped dramatically in the last 50 years.
Decreases in butterfly populations on this scale are a 'huge concern' as the insects are an integral part of the UK ecosystem, scientists said.
The news follows the release of the new Red List of British butterflies last year, which showed half of all the remaining species in Britain are now classed as threatened or near threatened.
Species that rely on particular habitats such as flower-rich grassland, heathland and woodland clearings, have been the most affected, the report says.
Species that have declined include the Northern Brown Argus (pictured), which has recorded a 57 per cent decrease in numbers across the UK
Although it remains widely distributed, mainly around the UK coastlines, numbers of Grayling butterflies (pictured) have also dropped by 72 per cent
Of the four UK countries, England's butterflies have fared the worst while Scotland's have shown a pattern of overall long-term increases.
Species that have declined include the Northern Brown Argus, which has recorded a 57 per cent decrease in numbers across the UK.
Although it remains widely distributed, mainly around the UK coastlines, numbers of Grayling butterflies have also dropped by 72 per cent.
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is another species in trouble, with figures showing a 66 per cent decrease in abundance since
