Climate change drives butterflies north - NatureScot
New research reveals ten butterfly species have increased significantly in Scotland in the past 40 years, and it is thought climate change could be pushing them northwards.
The latest Scottish Biodiversity Indicator, published by NatureScot today, examines the long-term trend for butterflies since 1979. The scientific report finds that, from 1979 to 2023, there has been an overall 35 percent increase across the 20 species analysed.
Generalist butterfly species, which use a range of habitats, have increased by half, while populations of specialist species, which are limited to specific habitats like heathland, remain stable.
Red admiral, orange tip and speckled wood butterflies have all seen the biggest population increases. Orange tip and speckled wood butterflies have increased three-fold, while there are almost ten times as many red admiral butterflies now compared to when records began in 1979.
But two species – grayling and small tortoiseshell – have suffered dramatic declines. Grayling is a coastal specialist whose 90 percent decline may be due to changes in habitat. Small tortoiseshell has dropped by more than 60 percent, with climate change, habitat loss and parasites thought to have affected these winged insects over the decades.
The research highlights that over the past 40 years, butterflies traditionally found south of the border - for example, orange-tip and peacock - have become more common in Scotland. But the potential for northward expansion is likely to be limited by habitat availability and local weather conditions that can affect their survival and dispersal.
Posted On: 11/11/2024
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