Butterfly numbers in the US are down by over 20% this century

Name: Butterfly numbers in the US are down by over 20% this century
Uploaded: 2025-04-02T14:30:00Z
Duration: 1 min 44 s
Description: Scientists say habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change are largely to blame. The largest declines were recorded in the southwest where drought could be the driving factor. Scientists gathered data from 76,000 butterfly surveys across the US. They recorded declines of at least 50% in almost a third of all species and declines of 90% or more in almost a fifth.

This video is part of: Centre for Nature and Climate

Scientists say habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change are largely to blame. The largest declines were recorded in the southwest where drought could be the driving factor. Scientists gathered data from 76,000 butterfly surveys across the US. They recorded declines of at least 50% in almost a third of all species and declines of 90% or more in almost a fifth.