Butterfly numbers in the UK have fallen to historic lows.

The number of butterflies in the UK has fallen to a historic low this year due to adverse weather conditions and habitat loss, Butterfly Conservation has said after conducting its annual major census.

The organization warns that this year’s figure is the lowest recorded in the 14 years in which the agency has conducted this study, and confirms that the current samples are about half those found last year at this time, which it attributes to an “unusually” wet and windy spring, as well as cooler than usual temperatures so far this summer.

However, they expect there to be a possibility of these little insects appearing later, “as long as the warm season is long,” but they specify that “current numbers remain minimal.”

On the other hand, the Butterfly Conservation organization warns that butterfly numbers have declined by 80% since 1970 in the country due to climate change and the use of pesticides.

“alarm signal”

Butterfly Conservation Director Dr Dan Hoare regretted that the current figures should not be interpreted as an “alarm signal” and stressed that nature was issuing a “cry for help”.

“Butterflies are a key indicator species. When they are in trouble, we know that the environment is in trouble too. People tell us they don’t see butterflies, but it’s not enough for them to tell us, we need everyone to record what they see or don’t see by taking part in the Great Butterfly Count, as this will give us the evidence we need to decide on vital measures to conserve our butterfly species.”