Hot summer gives butterflies a boost — but could lead to population crash - video Dailymotion

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The heat helped many butterflies thrive this year, but drought may have damaged the plants their caterpillars depend on. Conservationists say the effects could become clearer next year.

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00:01Butterflies have had a boost from summer's hot, dry weather, but conservationists warn

00:06it could come at a cost. The sunshine helped butterflies fly, feed and breed, making this

00:12the second best year for sightings in the 16-year Big Butterfly Count. But drought caused plants

00:18needed by caterpillars to wilt or die, leaving them without food. Butterfly Conservation says

00:24that could lead to a population crash next year, with species taking years to recover.

00:30Painted Lady sightings were up 335% on last year, but small tortoiseshell numbers were

00:37at their second lowest level since the count began, while drought-sensitive species were

00:43below average.

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