According to the latest IUCN update, there are over 178,000 species of butterflies and moths worldwide, with wingspans ranging from 1 centimetre to 31 centimetres. Butterflies and moths belong to the Lepidoptera order and have diverse lifespans, from two days to a year on average.

However, many species face threats, with habitat loss being a leading cause of decline. A 2019 study in Biological Conservation estimated a 53% decline in butterfly populations over the last decade. For instance, the Western Monarch butterfly population has plummeted by 99.9% in 20 years, with only around 2000 individuals observed during their last migration in 2020, representing a tiny fraction of historic numbers.

References

• Giulio Doremi Blog: https://gdoremi.altervista.org/blog/le-ali-piu-piccole-del-mondo-lepidotteri/
• Giulio Doremi Blog: https://gdoremi.altervista.org/blog/dimensioni-guinness-world-record-degli-insetti-simili/
• North America Butterfly Association: https://www.naba.org/qanda.html
• Biological Conservation journal: https://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/insect-population-decline/5c7228b01d5def712e4e05dd/
• Xerces Society: https://xerces.org/western-monarch-call-to-action

Act now to save the butterflies

Let’s take immediate action to halt butterflies’ decline. Friend of the Earth supports butterfly conservation through promoting products from Sustainable agriculture. Additionally, we’ve launched the Global Butterfly Census, engaging Citizen Science for education and conservation.

You can contribute by simply photographing butterflies and sending the pictures to our WhatsApp number or email with your coordinates. Send it to the WhatsApp number +39 351 2522520 or by the email info@friendoftheearth.org with your position coordinates. We’ll identify the species and add the data to an interactive map connected to our database. Your contributions will aid in producing statistics and updating scientific databases. Moreover, we’ll recognize a monthly ‘Butterflies Conservation Hero’ with the highest number of submissions, awarding them with a certificate of participation. Join us in protecting butterflies by participating in this project!

According to the IUCN, Italy hosts a significant diversity of butterfly species in Europe, representing about 37% of the total continent’s species. However, Turkey faces a concerning extinction risk for 6.3% of its butterfly species due to intensive agriculture and climate change.

The World Sustainability Foundation is committed to protecting the critical habitats of butterflies. Friend of the Earth certification standards, ensure that agricultural practices abide by evidence-based Sustainable policy which permits agriculture whilst ensuring the least possible interference with local flora and fauna.

OUR COLLABORATIONS

POLYXENA ASSOCIATION

The Polyxena Association in southern Italy focuses on biodiversity conservation through research, education, and Sustainable tourism. In June 2016, they opened Farfalia, a 90m2 butterfly house hosting 27 different local butterfly species.

Efforts were made to breed and reintroduce species like Zerynthia polyxena, Melanargia arge, and Hipparchia sbordonii. However, captivity didn’t provide the same balance as their natural habitat, hindering success. Nonetheless, species like Cleopatra gonepteryx, Pieris rapae, Papilio machaon, and Pieris brassicae have completed their life cycles in the house.

The WSF-Friend of the Earth funds the Pro Carnivoros by purchasing the materials required to continue the investigation into the Titicaca frog (steamer, boots, gloves, snorkelling equipment, digital calliper, etc.).

COLLODI BUTTERFLY HOUSE

The Collodi Butterfly House is inhabited by hundreds of tropical colourful butterflies. They enjoy the climate-controlled house that represents the exact conditions found in the tropical rain regions of their natural habitat. The structure offers educational courses and workshops for the little ones so that they can learn about the colourful life of this group of insects. Friend of the Earth has certified the Collodi Butterfly House as a structure capable of raising awareness on biodiversity, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare. The incentive has also proven fruitful in attracting critical awareness to the issue and bolstering the development of our Global Butterfly Census Program.