Is it just me or is there a bit of a lack of butterflies this year in the UK? Our Buddleia is blooming, and yet there are hardly any butterflies around. Perhaps it’s the weather – not especially warm and certainly not very sunny at present. It seems to be a mainly damp summer with occasional spells of good weather for a couple of days at a time. Usually once the Buddleia is flowering there would be Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells, Painted Ladies, and Commas around, but I haven’t seen any in the garden. All I’ve seen recently are Ringlets, Green-Veined Whites and Small Whites. Of course, it could just be that I’m just impatient and expecting them a bit too soon!
I have noticed a dearth of butterflies in the south east for several years now….
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In North East Wales my buddleia has only just started flowering. Plenty of bees on my lavender and we’ve even had flying ants (which I thought were usually later) – I’ve only seen a couple of white butterflies, but quite a few moths.
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Here in the Midlands we are doing fine for Butterflies (and Bees) compared to last year…..but strange to say our Buddleia is also full flower yet no takers for the nectar ! Other insects in short supply …..no Ladybirds?
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I planted a Buddleia specifically to attract butterflies but it hasn’t worked so far, maybe next summer. 🙂
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I had noticed less butterflies here so far this year. I think maybe it is down to the wet weather.
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No… here too, the butterflies are very scarce. The rain and cold in the late spring killed off the breeding stock that deliver the later populations! I noticed a Small White out today, evei in the mizzle. I mentioned to my good lady that they are trying hard to make a living… even though it seems summer has gone again! Not good!
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