appassionato comments on Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count

Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in pictures (files.mastodon.social)

submitted 1 year ago by appassionato@mastodon.social to c/photography@piefed.social

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Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in picturesThe results of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count are in, and while the numbers are a vast improvement on 2024’s record lows, the charity has warned that urgent measures are still needed to reverse long-term decline.1. Large white: 396,510 sightingsPhotograph: Keith Warmington/Butterfly Conservation@photography #photography #butterflies

Large white on a purple flower.

Large whites were the most common butterflies spotted in the UK this year with a record number of sightings, more than doubling from last year’s Big Butterfly Count. Recognisable by their creamy white wings with black L-shaped markings, they are also commonly referred to as cabbage butterflies or cabbage whites due to their staple diet. Their numbers are up 47% over the past 15 years.

[–] appassionato@mastodon.social [S] 1 point 1 year ago (6 children)

@photography 5/5. Meadow brown: 133,025 sightings.The usually abundant meadow brown had its fourth-worst result on record, possibly because weather conditions meant it was on the wing earlier than usual and some butterflies had finished flying by the time the count began on 18 July.Photograph: Butterfly Conservation#photography #butterflies

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[–] appassionato@mastodon.social [S] 1 point 1 year ago (5 children)

@photography 6/6. Peacock: 96,155 sightings.The Peacock is named for the distinctive topside of its wings which mimic eyes to startle and confuse predators while its underside provides camouflage blending in with dead leaves. Numbers of Peacock sightings have increased by more than double compared with last year.Photograph: Butterfly Conservation#photography #butterflies

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[–] appassionato@mastodon.social [S] 1 point 1 year ago (4 children)

@photography 7/7. Speckled wood: 53,423 sightings.The number of speckled wood butterflies, with their distinctive yellow specks, has seen a similar number of sightings compared with last year, but has seen a decrease in the overall population by 35% in the past 15 years. Unlike most other butterflies, the speckled wood does not feed on flowers but on honeydew from trees.Photograph: Butterfly Conservation#photography #butterflies

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[–] appassionato@mastodon.social [S] 1 point 1 year ago (3 children)

@photography 8/8. Comma: 43,062 sightings.The striking comma, with its scalloped edges and burnt orange colouring, had a 42% increase in sightings compared to last year. It is one few butterfly species to have maintained a consistent population since the count began, and has made a remarkable comeback since a severe decline in numbers in the twentieth century.Photograph: Andrew Cooper/Butterfly Conservation #photography #butterflies

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[–] claralistensprechen5th@friendica.rogueproject.org 1 point 1 year ago

@appassionatoHard to tell apart from the Question Mark.It's hard to tell size from the zoomed pic and if diminutive, it's also easily going to pass for the Snout.Lovely in any case. ❤

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[–] appassionato@mastodon.social [S] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

@photography 9/9. Common blue: 39,602 sightings.The common blue bounced back 228% from last year, which was its worst on record. However, its numbers are still 57% down since 2010.Photograph: Butterfly Conservation#photography #butterflies

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[–] appassionato@mastodon.social [S] 1 point 1 year ago

@photography 10/10. Green-veined white: 39,272 sightings.Green-veined Whites are known for their prominent green veins which set them apart from the small white. It also bounced back from its worst year on record, but to a lesser degree than the common blue. It was 67% up on 2024 but still at half the abundance of 2010 levels.Photograph: Iain H Leach/Butterfly Conservation #photography #butterflies

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