Commoners and Aristocracy Amongst British Butterflies

The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme confirmed that 2021 was a disasterous year in terms of overall butterfly numbers. This was largely a consequence of a cold and very wet May in England. A more positive story is now being presented around a few rare butterfly species. For these species, numbers were 'bolstered' by intensive conservation efforts (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/30/britains-butterflies-conservation-species-2021). It's reported that the Heath fritillary and the Silver-studded blue have seen surges in numbers. These are, however, rare (in the UK) species, restricted to very limited areas. Conservation efforts have been directed to restoring the habitats necessary for these butterflies. The declines in numbers of 'common' species (such as the Green-veined white, the Large white and the Common blue) are much more concerning. The collapse of these populations seems largely a consequence of climate change. There is nothing much that intensive conservation efforts can do to reverse declines in 'common' butterfly species. They need elevated summer temperatures to fly, feed and mate.