Garden enthusiasts are being called to take immediate action as alarming new figures have emerged showing a drastic decrease in butterfly populations over the last year.
The latest UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme’s annual results, which were released on 28 March 2025, reveal that 2024 has been one of the bleakest years for butterflies in British history.
Particularly in Devon, the decline has hit a critical point. New statistics from Butterfly Conservation reveal that four butterfly species have seen their lowest recorded numbers in over a decade.
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and Butterflies highlighted severe dips in Wood White, Small Heath, and both the Silver-washed and Dark Green Fritillaries’ populations.
Speaking to Bird Guides, local recorder Pete Hurst pinpointed habitat destruction, large-scale pesticide use, and the unpredictable climate patterns induced by global warming as key factors preventing the recovery of these already vulnerable populations.
Hurst termed the statistics “concerning”, drawing attention to the fact that Silver-washed Fritillary numbers have dropped by 38% and Dark Green Fritillary by a staggering 60%, relative to their ten-year averages. These details mirror a larger, nationwide crisis where 2024 stands as the fifth most devastating year for the butterflies across the UK, with over half of all species experiencing an unprecedented long-term decline.
The Woodland Trust is now rallying gardeners to take concrete steps towards bolstering butterfly numbers, starting with the simplest measure: growing flowers that cater to the dietary needs of these insects.
Butterfly-friendly plants
Butterflies are attracted to nectar, so a straightforward method to draw more butterflies to your garden is to plant a variety of vibrant flowers. Butterflies are particularly fond of flowers such as bluebell, lavender, red campion, cornflower, primrose, bird’s-foot-trefoil and clover.
Buddleia is also a butterfly favourite, however, the Woodland Trust advises against it due to its invasive nature that can quickly overrun other native plants.
Ensure your flowers are planted in a bright, sunny area that’s protected from the wind. If space is limited, consider using a window box or large pot.
Fruit trees.
The juice from ripe fruit provides essential energy for butterflies during autumn, while spring blossoms serve as an excellent nectar source for pollinators.
Other plants.
While they may not be the first choice, these plants also aid butterflies. Some have flowers that benefit adult butterflies, while others serve as valuable food sources for caterpillars.
Create a butterfly feeder.
In addition to planting for butterflies and their caterpillars, you can also assist by providing a sweet snack to give them an energy boost. This is particularly beneficial in autumn when many plants cease flowering and nectar becomes less accessible.
Add a quarter cup of sugar to two cups of water and heat in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes.
Immerse a brightly-coloured cloth in the sugary water and position it near some flowers. Alternatively, try placing overripe fruit in a warm, sunny location.
Mushy bananas are particularly popular – butterflies adore their sweet, sticky texture.
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), spearheaded by Butterfly Conservation, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and JNCC, provides butterfly population trends from 1976 to 2024 for 58 of the 59 regularly occurring species in the UK.
The latest data reveals that 2024 was one of the most disastrous years on record for butterflies in the UK, ranking 45th in the 49-year series. For the first time since monitoring began, more than half of butterfly species (31 out of 59) in the UK are now experiencing long-term decline, with nine species, including Small Tortoiseshell, Chalk Hill Blue and Small Copper, having their worst recorded year.
Furthermore, common butterflies, which inhabit gardens, parks and the wider countryside, experienced their second-worst year since 1976. In the shorter term, compared to the previous year (2023), 51 of the UK’s 59 species declined in 2024, while six species showed an increase.
Steve Wilkinson, Director of Ecosystem Evidence and Advice at JNCC, underscored the importance of wildlife monitoring earlier this year, stating: “The results revealed by the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme highlights why robust wildlife monitoring is absolutely essential for conservation. Without the dedicated efforts of thousands of volunteers tracking butterfly numbers, we wouldn’t fully understand the scale of this decline.”
He further elaborated on the significance of such data: “This comprehensive surveillance allows us to identify which species need urgent intervention, track long-term trends, and measure the effectiveness of our conservation efforts. The UKBMS data doesn’t just tell us about butterflies – it provides a critical indicator of the health of our wider environment. In the face of habitat loss and climate change, these monitoring schemes provide the evidence base we need to take meaningful action before it’s too late.”