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Rare butterfly hits purple patch at Sussex rewilding project
Rare butterfly hits purple patch at Sussex rewilding project

The Guardian

time04-07-2025

  • General
  • The Guardian

Rare butterfly hits purple patch at Sussex rewilding project

A conservation project in West Sussex has had its best day on record for rare purple emperor butterfly sighting, and ecologists say they are confident the species is doing well nationally. Purple emperor populations steadily declined over the course of the 20th century but they have been slowly recolonising the landscape at Knepp since 2001, when Isabella Tree and her husband, Charlie Burrell, decided to turn the stretch of former farmland into a 'process-led' rewilding project. Ecologists at Knepp recorded 283 purple emperors on 1 July alone. Since the site boasts the UK's largest population of the butterflies, the ecologists said they were confident the numbers were high nationwide. Knepp's purple emperor expert Neil Hulme emphasised that butterfly populations experienced fluctuations rather than steady growth year on year, but he suggested the 'top quality rewilded landscape' had allowed the purple emperors to flourish. In particular, he said, Knepp's 'mosaic' of sallow scrub provided a crucial location for female emperors to lay their eggs. Nature lovers have long been fascinated by the purple emperor, and for at least 250 years have been using unusual methods to lure them from the treetops where they reside. Despite their apparently delicate nature, the butterflies are renowned for feeding on cowpats and decaying animal carcasses. Those in search of a sighting attempt to entice purple emperors with anything from dirty nappies to blue cheese. Alongside their love for animal flesh, purple emperors can become 'intoxicated' on oak sap, enhancing their reputation as 'brawling thugs'. Hulme stressed that although the purple emperors may be the most 'glamorous' success story at Knepp, other species had also benefited from the rewilding. Butterflies such as purple hairstreaks and the silver-washed fritillary, as well as nightingales and swifts are also being sighted in record numbers. He described 'clouds of butterflies everywhere … none of us want summer 2025 to ever end'. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Tree said the success of the purple emperor showed the power of rewilding: 'When nature is allowed to recover, wildlife will return soon after.'

Five rare butterflies to keep an eye out for this summer as UK numbers decline
Five rare butterflies to keep an eye out for this summer as UK numbers decline

The Independent

time30-06-2025

  • General
  • The Independent

Five rare butterflies to keep an eye out for this summer as UK numbers decline

A "nationwide butterfly emergency" has prompted conservationists to issue an urgent plea for public participation in this year's Big Butterfly Count, stressing its critical importance after a devastating decline in numbers last year. Butterfly Conservation, the charity behind the initiative, warns that public involvement is more vital than ever following a particularly challenging 2024 for the insects. Last year's annual survey revealed a stark picture, with participants spotting an average of just seven butterflies per 15-minute count. This figure represents a nearly 50 per cent reduction from the 2023 average of 12, marking the lowest count in the history of the Big Butterfly Count. The alarming decline led the charity to declare a nationwide emergency, as 2024 proved to be the worst summer on record for several popular species, including the small tortoiseshell and common blue. 'Currently, more than half of the UK 's butterfly species are in long-term decline,' warns Kate Bradbury, garden writer, TV presenter and Butterfly Conservation ambassador. 'The good news is that everyone can help, and getting involved in this year's Big Butterfly Count is a great first step in helping these critically important and incredibly beautiful insects for generations to come.' She continues: 'You don't need a huge garden to help wildlife. By planting nectar-rich flowers, letting an area of grass grow long and incorporating caterpillar food plants like native shrubs, you can support a number of caterpillars and moths in even the tiniest space. 'Even pots and hanging baskets, planted with lavender, salvia or Mediterranean herbs like oregano and mint, can be the perfect refuelling station in the smallest space.' The charity offers a list of its top five butterflies you'd be lucky – and very privileged – to see in your garden during this year's count. 1. Small tortoiseshell The number of small tortoiseshells seen across the UK during the count in 2024 was 74% lower than it was in 2023, and the worst year for this species in the survey's history. Despite being one of the most well-known butterflies in Britain and being widespread throughout the year, this drop in numbers is hugely concerning, the charity notes. 2. Common blue As its name suggests, this vibrant blue butterfly is the most widespread blue butterfly in Britain and Ireland. Females are extremely secretive and, contrary to the name, they can be almost completely brown in colour. The number of common blue butterflies counted in 2024 was 69% lower than in 2023, with numbers down in England, Scotland and Wales but up in Northern Ireland. Find this butterfly in grassy habitats and sunny but sheltered spots such as coastal dunes, under cliffs, road verges and woodland clearings. 3. Painted lady Another species that was down in numbers last year, this amazing long-distance migrant is normally seen between May and October, arriving in the UK after a phenomenal 9,000-mile migratory journey – one of the longest in the animal kingdom – from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle. The journey is completed in stages by up to 10 generations of painted ladies, like a long-distance relay. The number of painted ladies that arrive in the UK varies each year and last year was the worst on record. Their migration tracks the availability of food plants for their hungry caterpillars, ensuring they can complete their life cycle year-round. These large, fast-flying butterflies prefer open, dry landscapes but can be found in almost any open space, from gardens to mountaintops or beaches. Their favourite source of nectar is thistles, but they will also visit bramble, ivy, knapweeds, buddleia, heathers and a variety of other flowers. Look for their distinctive patterned black, white and pinky-orange wings. Normally seen alone or in pairs, this tiny orange and brown butterfly thrives during warm, dry summers but is in long-term decline. Favouring heaths, chalk grassland and brownfield sites, their caterpillars feast on sorrel. Males are territorial, so can often be found basking on a bare piece of ground or a warm stone while they wait for passing females. They will chase off passing insects before returning to the same spot to continue their waiting game. This species declined in the 20th century and figures from last year's count show that trend continuing, with a 30 per cent decline across the UK, with Northern Ireland and Wales seeing particularly low numbers. 5. Jersey tiger moth One of three day-flying moths for which the survey collects data, with its wings folded it has beautiful zebra-like stripes in black and cream, but when it spreads its wings to fly, its hindwings are vibrant orange-red with black markings. This moth may be seen visiting flowers such as buddleia during the day, but also flies at night and is attracted to light. Its contrasting fore and hindwings allow it to camouflage among the speckled light and shadows of foliage. Jersey tigers lay their eggs on dandelions, nettles, brambles and other plants often considered to be weeds. It was once only found on the south coast of Devon, England, but in recent years has been on the move, with sightings recorded in Cornwall, South Wales, Sussex and Kent, as well as London, the Isle of Wight and Hampshire. This migration has been attributed to the UK's warming climate, which is allowing it to venture further north. Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count runs from Jul 18 to Aug 10. For more information visit or download the free Big Butterfly Count app.

Project coaxes purple butterfly as big as your palm into Derbyshire
Project coaxes purple butterfly as big as your palm into Derbyshire

BBC News

time26-06-2025

  • General
  • BBC News

Project coaxes purple butterfly as big as your palm into Derbyshire

A "conservation success story" has seen a British butterfly species coaxed in to a new purple emperor is a relatively common sight in the south of England but until last summer was previously unrecorded in planting of sallow trees in shaded spots close to the oak woodlands the species inhabits in the county since 2023 encouraged two sightings, in Bretby and Aston-on-Trent, in a further record of the purple emperor basking on a driveway in Ticknall on Wednesday means the butterfly is "100% going to establish" locally, according to Derbyshire recorder for charity Butterfly Conservation Ken Orpe. Mr Orpe, who was awarded a Green Apple environmental award for his work encouraging landowners to create caterpillar habitats including at Kedleston and Hardwick estates, said the species had been noted expanding north from Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and most recently Leicestershire due to climate said: "We thought if we can get some sallows, which is the food plant of the caterpillar, planted, it might just entice it into our beloved county." Purple emperor males can be the size of a small bird, says the Woodland Trust, and have an iridescent purple sheen to their wings, while the females are smaller and brown in enthusiasts call the species "His Majesty" said the trust, and Mr Orpe added in Victorian times spotters would "go crazy" for sighting them can prove tough, as when mature in late June to August, the males prefer to congregate on the tops of oak trees waiting for females to pass Orpe said: "They're absolutely brilliant, quite large, as big as the palm of your hand, and when the sun shines on the male it's a beautiful purple sheen on the wings."It's really good news that they've reached Derbyshire. I used to have to go to Wiltshire or Hampshire to see them, that was 20 years ago, but now they've come to see us."

Project coaxes purple butterfly into new county
Project coaxes purple butterfly into new county

Yahoo

time26-06-2025

  • General
  • Yahoo

Project coaxes purple butterfly into new county

A "conservation success story" has seen a British butterfly species coaxed in to a new county. The purple emperor is a relatively common sight in the south of England but until last summer was previously unrecorded in Derbyshire. The planting of sallow trees in shaded spots close to the oak woodlands the species inhabits in the county since 2023 encouraged two sightings, in Bretby and Aston-on-Trent, in 2024. And a further record of the purple emperor basking on a driveway in Ticknall on Wednesday means the butterfly is "100% going to establish" locally, according to Derbyshire recorder for charity Butterfly Conservation Ken Orpe. Mr Orpe, who was awarded a Green Apple environmental award for his work encouraging landowners to create caterpillar habitats including at Kedleston and Hardwick estates, said the species had been noted expanding north from Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and most recently Leicestershire due to climate change. He said: "We thought if we can get some sallows, which is the food plant of the caterpillar, planted, it might just entice it into our beloved county." Purple emperor males can be the size of a small bird, says the Woodland Trust, and have an iridescent purple sheen to their wings, while the females are smaller and brown in colour. Butterfly enthusiasts call the species "His Majesty" said the trust, and Mr Orpe added in Victorian times spotters would "go crazy" for them. But sighting them can prove tough, as when mature in late June to August, the males prefer to congregate on the tops of oak trees waiting for females to pass by. Mr Orpe said: "They're absolutely brilliant, quite large, as big as the palm of your hand, and when the sun shines on the male it's a beautiful purple sheen on the wings. "It's really good news that they've reached Derbyshire. I used to have to go to Wiltshire or Hampshire to see them, that was 20 years ago, but now they've come to see us." Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Droppings of Springwatch bird being analysed Pine martens could return to county countryside Project aims to return 'keystone' elk to UK 'Iconic' butterfly seen in county for first time Tree planting aims to attract 'iconic' butterfly Butterfly Conservation

Rare heath fritillary butterflies surge in number on Exmoor after sunny spring
Rare heath fritillary butterflies surge in number on Exmoor after sunny spring

The Guardian

time25-06-2025

  • Climate
  • The Guardian

Rare heath fritillary butterflies surge in number on Exmoor after sunny spring

The combination of sunny spring weather and habitat improved by a herd of red Devon cattle has led to a surge in numbers of one of the UK's rarest butterflies on moorland in the English west country. As well as increasing in established pockets on Exmoor, the heath fritillary is spreading to new areas, which experts say is highly unusual. More than 1,000 heath fritillary butterflies, nicknamed the woodman's follower, have been seen at sites on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate on Exmoor and nearby land, a significant rise from about 600 at the same time last year. Three spots have been recolonised and one small site has had a dramatic increase, from just four butterflies in 2024 to 186 this year. The heath fritillary was almost extinct in Britain in the early 1980s, but targeted conservation work has brought it back from the brink. The National Trust and the charity Butterfly Conservation have tried to create the ideal conditions for the heath fritillary on Exmoor including using cattle to selectively graze and trample areas for the butterfly, removing bracken and cutting glades at the edge of woodland. It is not all good news, however. The National Trust is conscious that the exceptionally warm and sunny spring prompted the butterflies to emerge two to three weeks earlier than usual. Basil Stow, a National Trust area ranger at Holnicote, said: 'The early emergence is a mixed blessing. If unsettled weather follows, it could cut short the butterfly's flight season and disrupt its life cycle. It's a reminder of how delicately balanced nature is and how climate extremes can threaten even our most carefully managed landscapes.' Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Jenny Plackett, the south-west England conservation manager at Butterfly Conservation, said: 'It's wonderful to see such strong numbers of heath fritillary on Exmoor this year. They've clearly benefited from the warm, sunny spring, emerging as adults weeks ahead of schedule. 'We've recorded butterflies at several new sites, including areas where they haven't been seen since the 1990s. The heath fritillary is generally very sedentary, so this kind of expansion is highly unusual and suggests that recent habitat management is working.' The heath fritillary thrives in moorland and coppiced woodland – hence its nickname – where its caterpillars feed on common cow-wheat. It is restricted to four core landscapes: Exmoor, the Tamar Valley in south-west England, the Blean woods in Kent and woods in south Essex.

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