One of the UK’s most widespread butterflies, the Small Copper, has suffered its worst year on record and is now in a state of significant decline, a study has revealed. The Small Copper saw numbers fall by almost a quarter last year compared to 2014, the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) led by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) revealed. Found across the UK, the Small Copper, an occasional garden visitor, has seen its numbers tumble. Heath Fritillary, one of the UK’s scarcest species suffered its worst year on record with numbers down 16% compared to 2014. The rare British race of the Swallowtail, arguably the UK’s most striking butterfly, suffered the largest decline of any species with numbers down 65% compared to 2014. Widespread butterflies also experienced a poor year with garden visitors the Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell down 21% and 44% respectively. The Wall continued its on-going slump with numbers down 44% compared to 2014 and the Grayling declined by 38%. Dr Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring at Butterfly Conservation, said: “In recent years it has become apparent that some of our most familiar and cherished butterflies are declining substantially. Sadly, our latest results show that the diminutive but stunning Small Copper can be added to this list.”
One of the UK’s most widespread butterflies, the Small Copper, has suffered its worst year on record and is now in a state of significant decline, a study has revealed. The Small Copper saw numbers fall by almost a quarter last year compared to 2014, the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) led by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) revealed. Found across the UK, the Small Copper, an occasional garden visitor, has seen its numbers tumble. Heath Fritillary, one of the UK’s scarcest species suffered its worst year on record with numbers down 16% compared to 2014. The rare British race of the Swallowtail, arguably the UK’s most striking butterfly, suffered the largest decline of any species with numbers down 65% compared to 2014. Widespread butterflies also experienced a poor year with garden visitors the Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell down 21% and 44% respectively. The Wall continued its on-going slump with numbers down 44% compared to 2014 and the Grayling declined by 38%. Dr Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring at Butterfly Conservation, said: “In recent years it has become apparent that some of our most familiar and cherished butterflies are declining substantially. Sadly, our latest results show that the diminutive but stunning Small Copper can be added to this list.”
Source: Rochdale Online, 21 March 2016
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/101864/small-copper-slumps-as-butterflies-struggle