Number of European butterflies at risk of extinction increases - Butterfly Conservation
The number of butterflies at risk of extinction across Europe has increased significantly in the past 15 years, a new assessment has warned.
Across the continent, 65 out of 442 assessed species - some 15% - are now facing the threat of extinction, up from 37 in 2010.
More than 40% of the butterflies that are found only in Europe are now threatened or close to being so.
The Madeiran Large White – which was only found on the Portuguese island of Madeira – is now officially classed as extinct.
The findings have been published in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) latest Red List of threatened species which covers the whole of Europe including the UK.
Dr Martin Warren, former chief executive of Butterfly Conservation and one of the lead co-ordinators of the European Butterflies assessment, said: "Many European butterflies are threatened by habitat changes due to rising temperatures. However, by ensuring their habitats are managed as well as possible and populations are large and robust, they stand a chance. Others can be saved from extinction by preventing wildfires, which can obliterate habitats for years."
Posted On: 14/10/2025
More on: