Blog

Paul Kirkland, Butterfly Conservation Scotland Director, examines the effects of nitrogen deposition on butterflies and moths.

The trip across to the Isle of Wight to help monitor the number of webs of the Glanville Fritillary is a real highlight of the year and helps to understand trends in the population size.

Discover how to make your garden more moth-friendly by providing night-time nectar.

Naturalist and presenter Nick Baker explains why the Emperor Moth is the true harbinger of spring.

The High Brown Fritillary is undoubtedly the UK’s most threatened butterfly. It has declined in distribution by a staggering 96%, disappearing from most of England and Wales.

A recently completed research project led by Emily Dennis and Tom Brereton of Butterfly Conservation has used Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) and National Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS) data to develop trends in the abundance and distribution (occupancy) of Scottish moths. 

The concept that moths pollinate some plants is not novel, with examples featuring in the writings of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.

The decline in European farmland biodiversity is well documented. The main driver of this decline is also well known: the intensification of agriculture that has taken place in recent decades.

Introducing Dr Katie Cruickshanks, Senior Data Ecologist at Butterfly Conservation who is currently undertaking a strategic review of our data, managing GIS data and support and delivering contract GIS analysis on butterfly and moth data for statutory agencies.

Get your peat-free garden started by growing your own plants from seed.

Find out what moths you can spot in spring. 

In support of the Government's Year of Green Action and our #iwill4nature pledge, Butterfly Conservation are hoping to connect more young people than ever before with wildlife this year, teaching them about butterflies and moths and inspiring them to take part in social action to improve the natural environment.

Meet our newest volunteer: 16-year-old Anabel Boakes from Dorset...

For this Random Acts of Kindness Day, Butterfly Conservation (BC) are celebrating the Year of Green Action (YOGA) with a list of 10 simple but inspiring ways you can engage with wildlife and the environment in 2019.

A report warning that plummeting insect numbers threatens the collapse of nature is a stark reminder that we must all play our part in trying to slow the assault on the natural world.

Snowdrops are one of the earliest spring bulbs to bloom, providing a useful source of nectar for bees and butterflies such as the Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone.

Recent high-profile studies showing insect declines have hit the mainstream media and been widely discussed online, often with dramatic talk of “insect armageddon”.

This month marks the start of the #YearofGreenAction, a year-long campaign to see more people from all backgrounds get involved in projects to improve the natural world as part of the government’s 25 year environment plan.

It is resolution time again so why not choose to help butterflies and moths in your garden this year? Here are five suggestions for activities to engage your brain and body.

Butterfly Conservation's (BC) Senior Education Officer, Kate Merry, takes some time out to talk about BC's Munching Caterpillars project - what it has achieved so far and plans for the future... 

Talking about the weather has become more than idle chatter. The trends are hard to ignore and climate change is no longer the elephant in the room. But what does it mean for butterflies and moths?

How flowery is your garden looking now? There are still a few butterflies around such as the Red Admiral, so it’s useful to note if you have any nectar plants available for them.

Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation Surveys Manager explains butterfly and moth "hibernation"

From May to September around 90 volunteers across Wales report their sightings of Fritillary butterfly species. They are all compiled into a newsletter, fondly known as ‘Frits About’ which is now in its 11th year. You can find it via the Butterfly Conservation Wales web pages.

The annual Scottish Member's Day was extra special this year. Find out what our members did to mark the occasion.

Rowan provides fuel for pollinating insects and is an important foodplant for several caterpillars

Steve Wheatley, Regional Conservation Manager for South East England, explains how the Grayling butterfly is relying on Exmoor ponies in Sussex.

Find out how you can help wildlife in your garden this autumn.

Conservation Officer Patrick Cook explains how sustainable forestry can help butterflies and moths.

Gardeners and butterflies are relishing the last burst of warmth before Jack Frost arrives to dust our plants with his icy shimmer.

Inspired by Chris Packham's People's Walk For Wildlife, here are our top ten ways you can help save our environment.