Skip to main content
Site logo

Main navigation

  • About/Am Janet
  • News/Newyddion
  • Contributions/Cyfraniadau
  • Campaigns/Ymgyrchoedd
  • Contact/Manylion Cyswllt
  • Vote from home / Pleidleisiwch o adra
  • Have YOUR Say on the Conwy Valley Railway Line! Dweud EICH Dweud am Rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy?
  • Save Welsh Farming / Achub Amaeth Cymru
Site logo

Nature Crisis: Number of butterflies in the UK at a record low

  • Tweet
Thursday, 7 October, 2021
  • Assembly News

The Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy  – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has called on the Welsh Government and Wales to unleash a “cacoon of action” to tackle the butterfly crisis in Wales.

Butterfly Conservation, which counted butterflies and moths between 16 July and 8 August, have reported that the results mark the lowest numbers since the Big Butterfly Count started 12 years ago

Of the 150,000 counts registered in this year’s snapshot, volunteers counted an average of nine butterflies or moths each count, down from an average of 11 last year and 16 in 2019. Overall, there were 1,238,405 butterflies and moths counted – a 14% reduction on last year.

Commenting on the nature crisis, Janet said:

“Butterflies are a vital part of the food chain and are considered significant indicators of the health of the environment.

“That there has been a 76% reduction in abundance and distribution of butterflies since 1976, and a 14% reduction on last year, should have us all fluttering to fight the threat.

“Three months ago the Welsh Parliament declared a nature emergency, so its time to put that statement to the test.

“I am calling for the unleashing of a cacoon of action to include growing lots of nectar-rich flowers between March and November; prolong flowering by deadheading flowers and watering well; grow caterpillar foodplants for butterflies and moths; let an area of grass grow long; allow a patch of weeds, such as Dandelion and Bird’s-foot-trefoil to flourish; leave bare patches of wall, fence or earth, or place large stones in sunny borders, so butterflies can bask; create a shelter-belt of trees; plant a mixed, native hedge; and make a log pile, where butterflies and moths can hibernate.

“Together we can reverse decades of decline."

ENDS

You may also be interested in

sioe

Praise for organisers of Sioe Llanrwst Show / Clod i drefnwyr Sioe Llanrwst

Monday, 30 June, 2025
The organisers of Sioe Llanrwst Show which took place on Saturday 28 July have been praised for the success of the event / Mae trefnwyr Sioe Llanrwst a gynhaliwyd dydd Sadwrn 28 Gorffennaf wedi cael eu canmol am lwyddiant y digwyddiad.The vote of thanks comes from Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the

Show only

  • Articles
  • Assembly News
  • European News
  • Local News
  • Media
  • Opinions
  • Senedd News
  • Speeches
  • Speeches in Parliament
  • Westminster News

Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS Aberconwy

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About/Am Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
  • Polisi Preifatrwydd a Diogelu Data / Data Protection and Privacy Policy
Promoted by Janet Finch-Saunders of 29 Madoc Street, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2TL | Hyrwyddwyd gan Janet Finch-Saunders, 29 Stryd Madog, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2TL

Neither the Welsh Parliament, nor Janet Finch-Saunders are responsible for the content of external links or websites. The costs of this website have been met by the Senedd Commission from public funds | Nid yw Senedd Cymru na Janet Finch Saunders yn gyfrifol am gynnwys lincs na gwefannau allanol. Mae Comisiwn y Senedd wedi talu costau'r wefan hon o arian cyhoeddus

Copyright 2025 Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS Aberconwy. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree