Nature - Association: 2024 not a good year for butterflies
In this summer, according to observations by experts, there are fewer Butterflies in Bavaria. "Heavy rain and cold temperatures in May and June are hindering the already weakened populations of our day-flying insects," said Elisa Treffehn, an expert from the Nature Conservation Association LBV in Hilpoltstein. Preliminary reports from monitoring sites across Germany have shown that 2024 will not be a good year for butterflies.
Nature conservation experts are particularly concerned about species such as the Marsh Fritillary, Peacock Butterfly, and Small Tortoiseshell. "They have been declining for years and can hardly be observed now," said Treffehn. The situation is better for species such as the Small Cabbage White, the Large Eye, or the Checkered Skipper, but they are also reportedly occurring in smaller numbers than in the past decade.
The causes for the declines are not only this year's heavy rain but also long-term developments such as the loss of habitat and traffic. To get a better assessment of how butterflies are faring in Bavaria, the LBV is calling for participation in the "Butterflies in Focus" project until the end of July. Citizens are asked to report sightings of the Painted Lady or its green-orange caterpillars.
A project by the Federal Nature Conservation Union and the Thuenen Institute in Braunschweig also revealed that in some regions of Bavaria, no bumblebees have been sighted this summer. According to the experts, heavy rain and prolonged rainfall, diseases, pesticides, climate change, and a lack of habitat could be responsible.
Report sighting
- The Nature Conservation Association LBV in Hilpoltstein, based in Bavaria, is actively involved in nature protection efforts, focusing on various species, including Butterflies.
- The 'Butterflies in Focus' project, initiated by the LBV, aims to gather data on Butterfly populations in Bavaria, contributing to the overall nature protection efforts.
- Despite the declining numbers of some Butterfly species like the Marsh Fritillary and Peacock Butterfly in Bavaria, associations such as the LBV are working diligently to protect and promote their survival and rank in the region's biodiversity.
- The Long-browed Butterfly (LBV) is not native to Bavaria, but efforts made by various associations towards nature protection can help secure a suitable environment for migratory species to thrive in Europe.
