Fears for UK butterfly numbers after die-off in 2022 heatwave

Evidence drought cut late-summer hatching raises fears delayed effect of caterpillar die off will be seen this year

The heat and drought of last summer caused British butterfly populations to crash later in the year, according to a new study.

Common butterfly species including the brimstone, small tortoiseshell, peacock, green-veined white and small white appeared in good or average numbers during the spring and early summer of 2022 but numbers in subsequent late-summer generations were greatly reduced.