Butterflies and Moths at the Brink: Climate Change Pushes Species to the Edge

Butterflies and moths are among the most beautiful and diverse creatures on Earth. They play a vital role in pollinating plants, providing food for other animals, and indicating the health of ecosystems.

However, they are also highly sensitive to environmental changes, especially climate change.

In this article, we will explore how climate change is pushing butterflies and moths to their limits, and what we can do to protect them.

Adapting and Thriving: The Success Stories of Some Butterfly Species

In the midst of climate change, a select few butterfly species in the UK are not just surviving, but seemingly thriving. These species have adapted to their changing environment, showcasing nature's resilience and ability to evolve.

One of these success stories is the brown hairstreak, a rare and elusive butterfly that has been reported doing well around London and the UK since the 1980s.

The brown hairstreak lays its eggs on blackthorn bushes, which are often found in hedgerows and woodland edges. The butterfly benefits from the warmer and wetter winters, which increase the survival rate of its eggs and caterpillars.

The butterfly also benefits from the conservation efforts of volunteers and landowners, who plant and manage blackthorn habitats for the species.
Another remarkable example is the comma butterfly, which boasts a 94% range expansion since the 1970s. The comma butterfly is a master of adaptation, as it can feed on a variety of plants, including nettles, hops, and currants.

The butterfly also has a flexible life cycle, as it can produce up to three generations in a year, depending on the temperature and food availability.

The comma butterfly has taken advantage of the warmer and longer summers, which allow it to breed more and colonise new areas.

These uplifting news are encouraging, as they show that some butterflies are capable of coping with climate change. However, they are also masking the plight of the UK's other 57 breeding butterfly species, many of which are facing serious declines.

The Hidden Crisis: The Challenges and Threats Facing Most Butterfly and Moth Species

According to Butterfly Conservation's 2022 report, a staggering 80% of butterfly species in England, Scotland, and southern Wales have seen declines in abundance, distribution or both since the 1980s. This decline underscores an urgent need for comprehensive conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem health.

One of the main challenges facing butterflies and moths is the loss and fragmentation of their habitats, due to urbanisation, agriculture, and forestry.

Many butterflies and moths rely on specific plants and habitats, such as grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands, which are becoming increasingly scarce and isolated.

This reduces the availability and quality of food and shelter for the insects, and limits their ability to disperse and find suitable mates.

Another major challenge is the changing climate, which affects the timing and synchrony of the life cycles of butterflies and moths.

Many butterflies and moths have evolved to match their emergence and activity with the flowering and fruiting of their host plants.

However, climate change is altering the phenology (the timing of seasonal events) of both plants and insects, creating mismatches that can reduce the survival and reproduction of the insects.

For example, the orange-tip butterfly, which feeds on cuckooflower and garlic mustard, may emerge earlier than its food plants due to warmer springs, resulting in starvation and lower fecundity.

Climate change also poses direct threats to butterflies and moths, such as extreme weather events, droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

These events can damage or destroy the habitats and food sources of the insects, as well as cause mortality, stress, and disease.

For example, the small tortoiseshell butterfly, which was once one of the most common and widespread butterflies in the UK, has suffered a dramatic decline in recent years, partly due to the parasitic fly Sturmia bella, which thrives in warmer and wetter conditions.

What Can We Do to Help Butterflies and Moths?

Butterflies and moths are not only beautiful and fascinating, but also essential for the functioning and balance of our natural world. They provide many ecosystem services, such as pollination, pest control, soil formation, and nutrient cycling.

They also serve as indicators of environmental change, as they respond quickly and visibly to changes in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation.

Therefore, protecting butterflies and moths is not only a moral duty, but also a smart and strategic choice.
There are many ways we can help butterflies and moths, from individual actions to collective efforts. Here are some examples:

- Plant native and nectar-rich flowers in your garden, balcony, or window box, to provide food and habitat for butterflies and moths. Choose plants that flower at different times of the year, to ensure a continuous supply of nectar. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides, which can harm the insects and their food plants.

- Join or support organizations that work to conserve and restore butterfly and moth habitats, such as Butterfly Conservation, the Wildlife Trusts, and the Woodland Trust. You can also volunteer to monitor and record butterfly and moth populations, to help scientists and conservationists track their trends and identify their needs.

- Reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, to mitigate the effects of climate change on butterflies and moths. You can do this by using renewable energy sources, driving less and cycling more, eating less meat and more plant-based foods, and recycling and reusing materials

.- Educate yourself and others about the importance and plight of butterflies and moths, and spread the word about how to help them. You can also participate in events and campaigns that raise awareness and funds for butterfly and moth conservation, such as the Big Butterfly Count, the Moth Night, and the Butterfly Appeal.

Butterflies and moths are facing unprecedented challenges and threats due to climate change and other human activities. However, they are also showing remarkable signs of adaptation and resilience. By taking action to help them, we can not only save these amazing creatures, but also ourselves and our planet.