Butterflies on his mind (From Gazette & Herald)

Butterflies on his mind

2:57pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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During the winter of last year (2007), there were reports of a massive change in the habits of the butterfly species that can be seen in Britain. Due to climate change, it was claimed that our number of butterflies, and the differing varieties, would increase dramatically.

Over the past quarter of a century, it was said our butterflies had increased four-fold with reports that a mere one degree rise in temperature would result in 14 extra species crossing the English Channel as they migrated to this country. The development would not only apply to butterflies, but also to many other types of insect.

This year, that expected situation appears to have been completely reversed. Last year's wet spring and summer meant that the forecasts were wrong because numbers of butterflies decreased dramatically, the chilly persistent rain coinciding with their breeding season. One report suggested that by the end of 2007, our butterfly numbers were at their lowest for quarter of a century. The anticipated increase had not occurred.

What was needed to redress the situation was a warm, dry spring this year - but that has not happened. Once again, we have endured several weeks of bitterly cold winds with heavy rain and even hail or snow in places with few butterflies being noticed in our gardens and parks.

Experts are forecasting that this springtime's untimely spell of poor weather could result in the extinction of some butterfly species, particularly those whose numbers fell so dramatically last year.

However, so far as a reduction in numbers is concerned, there are other factors apart from the weather. Loss of habitat is one such cause of reduced numbers, and much of this is due to modernisation of farming methods and changes to forestry management. This means that breeding becomes difficult if not impossible, and the necessary food and shelter cannot be found. A shortage of food means a butterfly becomes less able to behave normally, with its flight being slower with more rest periods being required which in turn means it becomes an easy target for predators.

Conservationists are struggling to raise funds to promote habitats suitable for butterflies whilst simultaneously creating an awareness of the plight that is facing our butterfly population. One of the simplest ways to ensure a suitable habitat is by adapting our own household gardens. That is not easy because each butterfly has its own special requirements, although there are several flowers that are enjoyed by most species. Butterflies need flowers and plants from which to obtain nectar as their food, to provide sites for nurturing their eggs and to offer shelter in bad weather.

Perhaps the best known plant is the buddleia, a highly productive shrub which bears large multi-headed blooms that attract most species. Indeed, the budleia is widely known as the butterfly bush because it is so popular with them.

However, it grows rapidly and does need cutting back regularly - which encourages it to grow yet more.

One piece of advice is to create a mixed border that would appeal to most butterfly varieties by including roses, azaleas, foxgloves and rhododendrons, not forgetting Michaelmas daisies, ice plants and others, including the red valerian which likes growing on dry stone walls.

Anyone with a large garden might be prepared to leave a portion of it to grow wild. Not cutting a small corner of a large lawn would allow long grass and wild flowers to flourish, all good for butterflies, but some species love nettles, thistles and dandelions. How much of one's garden can be left untended to encourage butterflies, and indeed other insects, is a matter of personal choice.

In creating an environment that will encourage butterflies, the kitchen garden cannot be ignored. Plants like cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli and brussels sprouts will courage the cabbage white (if that is what you want) whilst the flowers of peas and beans will encourage visits by blue butterflies. And don't forget the appeal of plants like lilac, lavender and marjoram.

If the garden is unable to provide the required environment, then the breeding of butterflies can be a means of increasing numbers and protecting rare species. It is a very specialised area of insect welfare but, if our weather is going to continue to reduce our numbers of butterflies, then selected breeding might be one solution.

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