Drought Could Wipe Out Butterfly Populations Next Year

Butterfly Conservation has warned that drought could lead to a significant decline in butterfly populations next year. The charity's head of science, Professor Richard Fox, stated that the extremely hot summer may have a devastating impact on caterpillars and plants, leading to a population crash.

The Met Office reported that 2026 had the hottest summer on record, with August seeing the UK's National Drought Group declare more than 70% of England in drought. This has left many butterfly species vulnerable to extinction due to climate breakdown, degraded habitats, and depleted populations.

Professor Fox emphasized that a good summer for adult butterflies is not the same as a good summer for butterfly populations. The charity is calling on people to take 'drought-proofing' actions in their gardens and outdoor spaces to help caterpillars, such as planting trees and shrubs, setting up water butts, and leaving grass patches to grow long.

The warning comes after the Big Butterfly Count recorded almost 1.4 million butterflies and moths across the UK this year. However, the charity fears that the impact of the drought will not be fully apparent until next year, when this year's drought-stressed caterpillars should emerge as adults.