A Haven for Every Life Stage
Butterflies flock to our gardens seeking three vital resources: energy-rich nectar for adult feeding, specific host plants for breeding, and sheltered spots for overwintering. Whether they arrive as hungry caterpillars (larvae), transforming pupae, or fully grown adults, these insects rely entirely on our outdoor spaces to survive the changing seasons.
The Growing Threats to Native Species
Urban development, intensive agriculture, severe habitat loss, and climate change rapidly destroy once-common butterfly populations. Human activities directly drive these sharp declines across the UK. The small tortoiseshell, for example, suffered a staggering 80% population drop in South-East England since 1990 alone.
How 16 million Gardens Create a Wildlife Corridor
Fortunately, everyday gardeners hold the power to reverse this trend and throw these insects a lifeline. The UK’s 16 million private gardens collectively create a wildlife sanctuary larger than all our National Nature Reserves combined.
When you cultivate native plants and leave a few wild patches, you help weave a vast, living patchwork of habitats. This interconnected network allows wildlife to safely travel and forage, bridging the gap between isolated urban green spaces and the wider countryside.
Test Your Butterfly Knowledge
Challenge yourself to identify the common garden visitors below.
- Reveal the answer: Hover your mouse pointer over the grey box beneath each image, or press and hold your finger if you use a touchscreen.
- Download an image: Right-click the enlarged image you want and select “Save image as” to choose a save location on your computer.
- Use the images: Incorporate these pictures freely into your personal quizzes, but please do not republish them in any format.
- Find a hint: Look at the image’s filename—we saved each file using the butterfly’s actual name!
