Butterflies enjoy ‘pandemic effect’ as they have third ‘good year’ in a row and sightings continue to grow 2020 was the third good year in a row for British butterflies, experts say Last year ranked as the tenth best for sightings since 1976 However researchers warned population levels of many species continue to be down compared … Read more
Just a little closer..! Incredible images showing butterflies, spiders and insects as you have never seen them before feature in the Close-Up Photography Awards More than 6,500 photographers from 52 countries entered this competition of macro photography The award for Close-up Photographer of the Year went to Galice Hoarau for his shot of a miniscule … Read more
Reproduction is a driving force across the animal kingdom, with creatures developing diverse strategies to ensure their genes are passed on. Some male butterflies employ a unique technique – they force the female into a ‘chastity belt’ that prevents her from reproducing with other suitors. In response, some females seemed to have evolved larger, more … Read more
Monty revisits one of his classic books, Gardening at Longmeadow, in an occasional series. The butterflies are at their busiest in August, jostling and flitting from flower to flower like shoppers in a sale to reach the nectar of late-season blooms – and there is no plant in the late summer garden that attracts them … Read more
British butterflies are at risk of being wiped out by intensive farming as conservation measures are failing to protect some of the country’s rarest species, a study found. Species under threat include Duke of Burgundy, the Dingy skipper and the High Brown Fritillary, researchers have warned. Conservation efforts around the margins of agriculture are not … Read more
It is one of the most beautiful – and most elusive – butterflies ever to be found in Britain. And after decades of decline, the magnificent Purple Emperor is set to make a comeback in record numbers this summer, thanks to May’s unusually warm weather. ‘This year will be amazing and possibly the best this … Read more
Social butterflies are able to cope with isolation just as well as introverts and do not appear to have been harder hit by coronavirus social distancing measures, study shows Researchers surveyed 800 adults currently in lockdown from the UK and the US They asked them whether they had a preference or aversion to being alone … Read more