Butterflies scarce after two wet summers

Britain's butterflies are going through their worst summer for nearly half a century, a leading conservationist believes. Matthew Oates, conservation adviser to the National Trust, says the torrential downpours of summer 2007 had a knock-on effect on 2008, wiping out many eggs and caterpillars that would have become this year's adults.

Many familiar species are now missing from the countryside. Some, such as the small tortoiseshell, are less prevalent than ever and some varieties may become extinct at a local level.

Mr Oates, who is presenting a series of films this week on the contrasting fates of five British species on BBC1's topical The One Show, said: "I've kept detailed records since 1972, and it's certainly the worst year since then. My previous lowest tally of small tortoiseshells by mid-August was about 250, in 1988. This year I've counted 20."

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