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Context

A new study reveals 22% decline in U.S. butterfly populations over two decades with climate change, habitat loss & pesticide use driving species level losses 13 times faster than recorded growth. Urgent conservation measures are needed to protect these crucial pollinators & preserve biodiversity.

Key Highlights

Severe Decline in Populations

Butterfly populations in U.S. have declined by 22% over past two decades.

Two-thirds (66%) of 554 recorded species are experiencing population losses.

Alarming Species-Level Declines

114 of 342 species (33%) showed significant declines.

107 species have lost over 50% of their population.

22 species have seen a 90%+ decline in population.

Only 3% of species (9 total) exhibited population growth.

Key Causes of Decline

Climate change: Warmer southern regions are becoming uninhabitable forcing species to shift northward.

Habitat loss: Urbanization & deforestation are reducing butterfly habitats.

Pesticide use: Particularly insecticides have been linked to severe population declines.

Regional Trends & Data Insights

Population declines were observed across all butterfly families (60-75% of species affected).

Northern regions showed higher butterfly abundance compared to southern regions supporting climate driven decline theories.

The study analyzed 12.6 million individual butterflies from 2,478 locations across 35 monitoring programs (2000-2020).

Conservation Recommendations

Stricter regulations on pesticide use similar to EU restrictions on insecticides.

Integrated pest management & diversified cropping to support butterfly friendly habitats.

Broad scale conservation efforts at both local & national levels to protect pollinators.

Urgent Call to Action

Experts warn that species are disappearing 13 times faster than population growth rates.

Researchers emphasize the need for immediate intervention to prevent further losses & protect biodiversity.

Butterfly Species Found in India and Their Regions

Endangered Butterfly Species in India

Laws and Regulations for Butterfly Protection in India

1. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Butterflies are legally protected under Schedule II and IV of Act.

Species such as the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) & Common Peacock (Papilio bianor) are included in list of protected species.

Illegal collection, trade or harm to protected butterflies is punishable with fines & imprisonment.

2. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Regulates collection, research & commercial use of butterflies & their habitats.

Requires permissions from National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) for accessing biological resources.

3. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

Ensures forest conservation indirectly protecting butterfly habitats in Western Ghats, Himalayas, Northeastern India.

4. The Environment Protection Act, 1986

Used to regulate industries & agricultural activities affecting butterfly populations.

Provides legal basis for controlling pesticide use & pollution impacting butterfly habitats.

5. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

India is signatory to CITES which regulates the international trade of rare & endangered butterflies like Kaiser-i-Hind.

Exporting protected butterfly species without proper authorization is banned.

6. Protected Areas & Butterfly Sanctuaries

Butterfly Parks & Reserves

• Bannerghatta Butterfly Park (Karnataka)
• Sikkim Butterfly Park
• Assam Butterfly Conservatory
• Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)

National Parks & Sanctuaries with Rich Butterfly Diversity

• Silent Valley National Park (Kerala)
• Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh)
• Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

Sources:

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