The Abundance of Butterflies at LettsSafari

LettsSafari parks are bucking the downward trend in the Big Butterfly Count

Oct 7, 2022

Despite a summer of glorious sunshine, fewer butterflies than ever were recorded in the world’s largest crowdsourced insect count. On average, fewer than nine butterflies per count were spotted in this summer’s Big Butterfly Count, the lowest in the 13 years of Butterfly Conservation’s popular summer recording scheme.

It is the third year in a row that the count has recorded its lowest-ever average abundance, a worrying sign that once-common flying insects are continuing to disappear from Britain. And yet at LettsSafari parks and gardens butterfly numbers continue to grow - with numerous species spotted including the rare fritillaries.

yellow and black butterfly on purple flower — Stunning plants, stunning butterfly

We take a look at some of the key habitats for butterflies - so we can all add to the next count:

Wild grasses

Rolling meadows, pastures and heathland provide the perfect habitat for wildflowers to thrive for butterflies and moths.

white and brown butterfly on brown plant — Give me wild grasses, giving me shelter…

Wetlands

Marshes, fens and bogs are home to a variety of plants suited to wetter conditions that some butterflies and moths thrive on.

black and white butterfly perched on green plant — Liking it damp and dark

Woodland and scrub

Butterflies and moths are generally found within the open, sunny glades and rides of woods but some prefer the tree canopy.

butterfly perching on plant — We’re not all about the wild flowers

Urban and industrial

Gardens are invaluable as nectar sources. And abandoned industrial areas are often overlooked habitats. Factors in the loss of butterflies in towns and cities include the popularity of plastic grass, the paving over of front gardens for parking spaces, “garden grabbing” by developers and rising levels of nitrates from traffic, which affect butterflies’ food plants. Perhaps we should all practice wildlife gardening.