UK Butterfly Populations Soar This Summer, But May Crash Next Year
The UK has seen a bumper summer for butterflies, with over 1.4 million recorded in this year's Big Butterfly Count. The Painted Lady was one of the standout species, with numbers up by 335% on last year and a total increase of 74% since the survey began.
According to Professor Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, the hot and dry summer has been beneficial for many butterfly species. Adult butterflies thrive in such conditions, allowing them to fly, feed, and breed more effectively.
However, this abundance may be short-lived. With many plants that caterpillars rely on having withered or died due to drought, next year's population could face a crash. 'Some species may be pushed further and faster towards extinction,' Professor Fox warned.