The butterfly effect

A few years ago it would not have been unusual to see 5 or 6 species of butterfly fluttering about your garden on a sunny afternoon. This summer that may well be unlikely as butterfly populations continue to show a steep drop.

Surveys suggest that numbers fell by around 22% between 2010 and 2011, with once ubiquitous species such as the Tortoiseshell showing serious signs of decline. Some of the decline has been put done to the run of cold wet summers we have ‘enjoyed’ recently but the decrease in their preferred habitat, largely due to the pressures of agriculture and urban development has played a big part. On a smaller, domestic scale the preference for low maintenance gardens, with large areas of paving and gravel, and reduction in planted areas has also added to the pressures.

So what can gardeners do about it? Of the 50 or so species of butterfly found in the UK, around 18 are commonly found in gardens, illustrating the important contribution that our gardens make to their overall habitat.  Bearing butterflies in mind therefore when planning a garden and taking some relatively simple measures is likely to help.

Perhaps most importantly, butterfly- friendly planting will benefit them enormously. Many of the same nectar rich plants that attract bees and other insects will also attract butterflies. There are many plants that they will find irresistible, shrubs like Buddleya (not called the butterfly bush for nothing) and lavender, perennials such as Aubrieta and wall-flowers, and herbs like marjoram and thyme. For the full ‘nectar bar’ menu, go to Butterfly Conservation.

As well as needing nectar in the summer and to build up reserves in the autumn, butterflies like to lay their eggs on quite specific plants, the leaves of which then provide food for the caterpillar. Many of the preferred plants are native wildflower species (or weeds), so leaving an area of your garden untamed will encourage butterflies to not only visit but also breed there.  Red Admiral and Peacocks for example like to lay their eggs on nettles, while the Painted Lady prefers Thistles and Burdocks and the Heath Fritillary favours Foxgloves or plantains. Again, for a comprehensive list go to the Butterfly Conservation website.

As well as a sunny location, butterflies also prefer sheltered locations. They are relatively fragile and adversely affected by the wind, which makes it difficult for them to navigate to and land on plants. Planting that is protected by a building or in the lee of a hedge is therefore ideal. They also like a drink along the way, so appreciate bird baths, puddles and other, preferable shallow, sources of water, while warm sheltered resting places, such as large stones or paving slabs amongst planting will be most welcome.

The plight of our butterflies and moths is a good indicator of biodiversity and can offer some insight into the state of the environment in general. However is not all bad news, as the return of the Small Ranunculus moth into the UK in the 1990s, after a 50 year absence, indicates. Their reappearance on brown field sites also gives us a clue as to how they would prefer us to garden. So go wild.