UK butterfly species at risk of extinction due to climate change, says study

Severe droughts caused by global warming could have a far greater impact on some UK species of butterfly than previously thought

• See the six UK butterfly species under threat

Continuing climate change caused by carbon emissions from power stations and vehicles is set to have catastrophic consequences for British butterflies including currently widespread species such as the cabbage white and large skipper.

Researchers have found that the increase in extreme droughts as global warming takes hold will cause six species of UK butterflies to be lost from several areas of the country as soon as mid-century.