this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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UK Nature and Environment

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A national “butterfly emergency” has been declared by Butterfly Conservation after the lowest Big Butterfly Count since records began.

An average of just seven butterflies per 15-minute count were recorded by participants in this summer’s butterfly count, the lowest in the survey’s 14-year history.

It was the worst year on record for once-ubiquitous species, including the common blue, small tortoiseshell, small white and green-veined white. Eight out of the 10 most-seen species have declined – in many cases dramatically – over the count’s history. Previous lowest-ever numbers of butterflies-per-count were logged in 2022, 2021 and 2020.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

We could make plastic butterflies to replace them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

If we get to make the decisions, we can even have branded butterflies!

Who wouldn't want the Iron Man™ Ripwing?*

*(Stylized form of "Rippon Birdwing")