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Butterfly Conservation

@savebutterflies.bsky.social

3.5K followers 120 following 360 posts

The official account for UK wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. Saving butterflies, moths and our environment. 🦋 https://butterfly-conservation.org/ Cover photo 📷: Small Copper - Paul Henson

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · Sep 10

Butterflies need two things to thrive: good weather and a healthy environment ☀️🌱

Join us in asking UK retailers to remove synthetic pesticides from sale for a wilder, butterfly-filled future for generations to come 👉 https://butterflyemergency.good.do/rescue-mission/

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 3h

Look out for the dramatic Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra) on the wing from September to October 👀

The adult moths come to light and sugar but can also be seen feeding on the flowers of Ivy and even overripe Blackberries.

📷: Iain H Leach
#MothsMatter #MothMonday

A dark grey, almost completely black moth, resting on a branch against a green background.

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 1d

Autumn reminds us to slow down, take a step back and enjoy the changing seasons - this includes in the garden 🧡🍂

The Secret Gardener shares their gardening jobs for October 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/the-secret-gardener-jobs-to-do-in-your-garden-in-october

📷: Paul Henson

A tiny Small Copper butterfly basking in a ray of sunshine on an autumn leaf

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Geoff Campbell North Antrim Moths @gcampbellphoto.bsky.social · 2d

Pearly Underwing (Peridroma saucia) North Antrim October 2025. One of a number of potential migrant moths last night. Also highlights the importance of Ivy flowers at this time of year. #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth #gcampbellphoto @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Geoff Campbell North Antrim Moths @gcampbellphoto.bsky.social · 3d

Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata) - North Antrim - October 2025. Another species with a late record was this one from a local oakwood last night #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth ##gcampbellphoto @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Sarah @sarahsramblings.bsky.social · 2d

I was quite chuffed to finally catch sight of my first ever clouded yellow even if I did spend 20mins+ creeping and crawling around a field margin mostly on my knees trying to get a photo. The joys of only having a camera on my phone @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-suffolk.bsky.social

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Brian Hedley @manfrommarton.bsky.social · 2d

My first ever Clifden nonpareil (Blue Underwing) moth in the garden this morning. So huge!
Marton, Lincolnshire
@lincswildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 3d

Cornwall Butterfly Conservation’s winter habitat management begins next week!

This year, we have a packed programme of volunteer days around Bodmin Moor and Camborne-Redruth to restore habitat for threatened butterflies.

Sign-up to get involved at tinyurl.com/2cbb2jzw
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

Practical Conservation Group Volunteer (Cornwall)

Our Practical Conservation Group Volunteers make a real difference to their local environment. Without them, many threatened butterflies and moths could be lost forever.

tinyurl.com

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 4d

Want more tips on how to create your own haven for butterflies and moths? Join Butterfly Conservation as a member today to get your gardening guide 👉 butrfli.es/42xWcMJ

Save Butterflies and Moths. Become a member today.

Butterfly Conservation is a British charity devoted to saving butterflies, moths and their habitats throughout the UK.

butrfli.es

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 4d

The Speckled Wood is unique in its ability to spend the winter as either a chrysalis or a caterpillar 🐛💤

Letting your grass grow long and leaving some dead plants is a great way to support this beautiful species throughout its lifecycle.

📷: Iain Cowe, Bob Eade, Andrew Cooper

Speckled Wood butterfly resting on a yellow leaf

Green caterpillar with white stripes along its body, clinging to a dead plant stem

Speckled Wood chrysalis showing the brown and yellow speckled wings of the newly-formed butterfly inside.

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 5d

Ask retailers to join the rescue mission for butterflies and stop the sale of synthetic pesticides 👇
butterflyemergency.good.do/rescue-missi...

Join me in supporting the Remove Pesticides from UK Shelves Campaign

Join the Butterfly Rescue Mission Sign our open letter to UK retailers, asking them to remove synthetic pesticides from sale, for a wilder, butterfly-filled future for generations to come. The UK ...

butterflyemergency.good.do

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 5d

For a longer-term solution, encourage predators that feed on aphids, such as birds, beetles and bats, by creating wildflower patches and providing nesting and hiding spaces.

Try growing flowers such as Michaelmas Daisy and Fennel that attract hoverflies, beetles and ladybirds. 🐞

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 5d

Most common garden problems can be solved without the need for harmful chemicals 🧪❌

For aphids, try using a hose attachment to spray them off, or simply removing them with a cloth.

Butterfly Conservation's guide to gardening without pesticides: Aphids. Graphic shows a hose spraying aphids off a plant with water. Text reads: 'Most aphids can be sprayed off with a hose. Encourage predators by growing flowers such as Michaelmas Daisy and Fennel that attract hoverflies, beetles and ladybirds.'

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 5d

Together with partners, we've managed 8,510 hectares of habitat for butterflies and moths across the UK over the past year - that's equivalent to over 12,000 football pitches!

Find out more about our conservation projects 👉 butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/con...

📷: Iain H Leach

Northern Brown Argus butterfly on Common Rock Rose

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 10d

As a mature plant it will begin to flower, providing a vital source of nectar for pollinators, including butterflies and moths, later in the year when other sources of nectar are limited. Its berries are then enjoyed by birds and small mammals during the colder months. ❄️

📷: Iain H Leach

A green and black patterned Merveille du Jour moth, feeding on flowering ivy

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 10d

In its juvenile stage, Ivy can provide shelter for adult butterflies and moths, bats and nesting birds. It is also a foodplant for the caterpillars of several moth and butterfly species such as the Holly Blue.

📷: Peter Eeles

Tiny green caterpillar feeding on an ivy flower bud

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 10d

Let's hear it for Ivy!

An often misunderstood plant, but one which has incredible benefits for wildlife. 🦋🐝🐦

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 11d

Last year saw 10 amazing young people aged between 16-25 joining our first-ever Youth Panel!

Since then, the panel have spoken up for nature and youth empowerment at marches and events, attended residentials and launched their first Zine 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/youth-panel

11 members of Butterfly Conservation's Youth Panel, some standing and some crouching together outside, smiling at the camera and making a butterfly shape with their hands.

5 Youth Panel members and Youth Engagment Officer excitedly gathered around a moth trap

Youth Panel members and Youth Engagement Officer out on a bat walk at dusk. The Youth Engagement Officer is pointing out something in the sky.

Youth Panel members are pointing and look at a colourful flower border.

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Sarah @sarahsramblings.bsky.social · 12d

Lots of butterflies in the sunshine yesterday along the Waveney Valley. Plenty of whites, Small Heath, Common Blue, Red Admiral plus two that settled for long enough & caught with the phone camera, a worn Small Copper and Speckled Wood @bc-suffolk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social · 12d

Common Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood & Green-veined white butterflies all seen yesterday by the volunteer work party at Ettington Cutting. Though the highlight was a Clouded Yellow! #butterflies @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Clouded Yellow butterfly nectaring on a yellow hawkweed. Photo by Tony Penycate.

Clouded Yellow butterfly perched on a dried flower heads. Photo by Tony Penycate.

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Scottish Environment LINK @scotlink.bsky.social · 12d

We're pleased that the @parliament.scot Rural Affairs and Islands Committee has backed proposals in the Natural Environment Bill to introduce statutory targets to restore nature.

Nature targets are a key demand of our Scotland Loves Nature campaign.

Read more:
www.scotlink.org/msps-back-na...

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 12d

Hello October! Or should that be Moth-tober? 🎃🦋

With autumn well underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces.

Butterfly Conservation's Butterflies and Moths to see in October: Speckled Wood, Brimstone moth, Comma, Frosted Orange, Peacock, Angle Shades, Red Admiral, Light Emerald, and Wall.

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 13d

Join our call for UK retailers to remove synthetic pesticides from sale, for a wilder, butterfly-filled future 👇
butterflyemergency.good.do/rescue-missi...

Join me in supporting the Remove Pesticides from UK Shelves Campaign

Join the Butterfly Rescue Mission Sign our open letter to UK retailers, asking them to remove synthetic pesticides from sale, for a wilder, butterfly-filled future for generations to come. The UK ...

butterflyemergency.good.do

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 13d

Slugs and snails do important jobs in the garden, breaking down plant matter and providing food for other wildlife 🐌

To prevent slugs from eating certain plants, protect them with grit, cloches and hand removing any you find.

Create a pond to attract slug-munching frogs.

Butterfly Conservation's guide to gardening without pesticides: Slugs & Snails. Graphic of a snail on the outside of a glass cloche, covering a green leafy vegetable. Text reads: 'Did you know slugs and snails recycle plant matter and are a tasty snack for other wildlife? Protect plants with grit, cloches and hand removing any you find. Create a pond to attract frogs for natural slug control."

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Reposted by Butterfly Conservation

Ryan Clark @ryanclarkecology.bsky.social · 15d

It's impossible not to love the Merveille du Jour. Just incredible moths! #MothsMatter @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 14d

The Red Underwing (Catocala nupta) knows how to make a statement 🤩

Keep an eye out for this flashy moth in woodland, parkland, scrub, riverbanks and gardens.

📷: Iain H Leach, Will Langdon, David Green
#MothMonday #MothsMatter

A large grey moth with striking red and black underwings, resting on a green leaf

A Red Underwing moth, its wings blurred in action, against a background of red autumn leaves.

A long, grey caterpillar resting on a thin branch

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