Butterfly populations are down 80 per cent - what gardeners can do to help

If you feel like there aren't as many butterflies as when you were younger, you're not wrong. Butterfly populations across the UK have declined by 80% since the 1970s, according to wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation.

The alarming statistic, which appears in its latest The State of the UK’s Butterflies report, is a ‘warning signal of the wider biodiversity crisis’, the organisation says. That's because these insects are crucial to understanding the UK’s wider ecosystem.

The study found that specialist species which rely on grasslands abundant with flowers, heathland and woodland clearings have experienced huge losses in habitats, so they’ve declined dramatically.

Species that can breed in less specific habitats, such as farmed countryside and urban areas, haven’t fared as badly, though they’ve still fallen in numbers overall (by 17% in abundance and 8% in distribution). Declines like this often indicate of a broader drop in biodiversity in an area as land use changes over the years.

Successful conservation efforts

While half of all Britain’s remaining butterfly species are now listed as at risk of extinction on the British Red List, conservation projects have proved that efforts by more gardeners can lead to a better understanding of (and positive impact on) population numbers.

These include the successful recent reintroduction of the chequered skipper to England , a succession of long-term conservation projects driving up numbers of wood white butterflies across the West Midlands, and peatland restoration on lowland bogs in Scotland which is benefiting the large heath butterfly.

“Thanks to tens of thousands of people who contribute sightings through projects such as the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and Big Butterfly Count, we have amazing data to plot the changing fortunes of our butterflies,” Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science for Butterfly Conservation and lead author of the report, told us.

“What is needed now is a step-change in government support to bring butterflies and other wildlife back to the UK’s nature reserves, farmland, forests and built-up areas.”

How we can help butterflies with our gardens

Butterfly Conservation is calling on the government to take action to protect habitats, help nature’s recovery, and prevent more species from being lost. But we can all play a part in creating conditions that will attract, feed and help local butterfly populations thrive.

 Here are three top gardening tips that Butterfly Conservation shared with Saga Magazine:

• It’s very useful to have flowers that will blossom throughout the butterfly season. In spring, many butterflies come out of hibernation, while in autumn, flowers will help build up their reserves for winter.
• By planting a variety of different flowers and plants you can attract a wider range of species. You can place the same types of plants together in blocks. Try to include some of the best plants for summer nectar, including hebe, lavender, and perennial wallflower (Bowles Mauve is a good variety).
• Taking good care of your flowers is important. You can look after them by mulching with organic compost, and watering them when they need it. Deadheading will keep plants flowering for longer. (For seed-producing plants, you might want to leave the late flowers to set seed to feed the birds.) Don’t use insecticides and pesticides as these will kill butterflies and many other pollinating insects.

If you’re looking to make your garden even more butterfly-friendly, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests some useful tips:

• Include a few plants that will feed caterpillars in your mix, such as nettles and nasturtiums
• Plant a border in a sunny spot with flowers that will be rich in nectar across multiple seasons, ensuring plenty of food for visiting butterflies
• Some butterflies, such as the red admiral, enjoy over-ripe fruit in the autumn

Get to know the locals

To make sure your good intentions don’t go to waste, Natural History Museum’s ecologist Larissa Cooper has advised that people should research butterflies native to where they live, so that you can learn what these species feed on and provide the right food for their caterpillars.