Nature lovers in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been urged to look out for one of the nation’s best known butterflies, after its numbers declined last year.
The Small Tortoiseshell suffered a record 79% decline north of the Border from 2023-24, amid a long term drop of over 60% in the past 40 years.
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is hoping the colourful and charismatic species will fare better this year amid a “nationwide rescue mission” to save threatened species.
It has urged thousands of Scots to take part in its annual Big Butterfly Count.
The citizen science survey will run until August 10, with the results used to help map how different species are faring and where new conservation efforts should be targeted.
Dr Tom Prescott, the charity’s Head of Conservation for Scotland, said: “The Small Tortoiseshell had a really poor year and that was reflected by lower numbers coming out of hibernation this spring.
“Now we don’t know if last year was just a one off or if it’s going to get even worse this year. Perhaps it will buck the trend and start to improve.
“We are hoping this will be a better year but we won’t know for sure until people get out there and count them.
“The Small Tortoiseshell is highly recognisable and It should be visible in gardens, parks and the general countryside all over Scotland.
“Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count is a chance to make a real contribution to protecting them.”
The Small Tortoiseshell is familiar to many Scots as it can be found in a variety of habitats. They lay their eggs on nettles and thistles, and adults drink nectar from a wide range of garden plants such as buddleia and sedum.
The Big Butterfly Count is the world’s biggest annual butterfly survey. Each year, thousands of people spend 15 minutes outdoors counting and recording the butterflies and day-flying moths they see.
Butterfly Conservation declared a “butterfly emergency” after last summer’s survey returned the lowest numbers on record.
In Scotland, 22,818 butterflies were spotted, down by almost 20% compared with 2023. Only five butterflies were seen per count on average, which was the lowest since the count started in 2010.
A dozen of the 17 species in the count showed a reduction in numbers while the Small Tortoiseshell along with the Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Scotch Argus had their worst year.
The result was deemed “an urgent SOS” from butterflies struggling against habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use.
