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

Evidence that drought cut late-summer hatchings raises fears that 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.