Nature experts warn of ‘butterfly emergency’ with record lows in annual count - Big Butterfly Count citizen science project sees the lowest number of butterflies per count in its 14-year history.

A wildlife charity has said there is a “butterfly emergency” amid a hugely concerning decline in numbers of the insects. Just four butterflies on average were counted every 15 minutes in the north during a recent study - a 50% decrease from last year.

Conservationists have warned of a “butterfly emergency”, as a survey for the insects clocked up its lowest numbers on record.The Big Butterfly Count, organised by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation over three weeks in the summer,

Figures from the Big Butterfly Count show a more than 70% decrease in butterfly numbers from 2023.