Climate change drives butterflies north

New research reveals ten butterfly species have increased significantly in Scotland in the past 40 years, and it is thought climate change could be pushing them northwards.

The latest Scottish Biodiversity Indicator, published by NatureScot today, examines the long-term trend for butterflies since 1979. The scientific report finds that, from 1979 to 2023, there has been an overall 35 percent increase across the 20 species analysed.

Generalist butterfly species, which use a range of habitats, have increased by half, while populations of specialist species, which are limited to specific habitats like heathland, remain stable.