Are butterflies disappearing from South Yorkshire?
New studies show that more than half of UK butterfly species are now in long-term decline
Last updated 2nd Apr 2025
New research has found that more than half of the UK butterfly species are in long-term decline, including in South Yorkshire.
5\1 of the UK's 59 butterfly species declined last year compared to 2023, with the worst on record for the small tortoiseshell, the chalk hill blue and small copper.
Experts have put the decline down to humans and climate change destroying habitats and the use of pesticides in gardens.
Ben Keywood is an Entomologist for Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife trust and studies insects, which includes the life cycle of butterflies.
He agreed that although the direct cause of the insects decline isn't clear, climate change and human impact are definitely some of the leading factors;
"It is quite complicated, but one of the factors is lack of habitat because a lot of habitat is being lost. Butterflies eat very specific food plants, and if the food plants they need is being lost due to loss of habitat as a result of drought, flooding, etc then this will effect their population..."
"There's also the use of chemicals, which effect all pollinating insects. They're having a pretty hard time with climate change, use of chemicals and loss of habitats."
Despite the decline, there are ways in which we can ensure that our gardens are safe for butterflies.
Ben also described the simple steps people can take to make their garden a refuge for the insects,
"If we have a garden we should try not to use any chemicals, and plant the kind of food plant butterflies needs..."
"Out of the 59 species, around 20 or so of them, including those found in the Sheffield area, feed on grass, so just leaving a square of your grass long, the butterflies can survive better."
"These things might not be the idea of a typical perfect garden but if we want to help them, we need to think about not just the butterfly themselves, but also their life cycle."
If you wish to spot butterflies this spring, ben suggests the best place to do so is in meadows or woodland areas across South Yorkshire!