WILDLIFE charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed low numbers of butterflies have been spotted so far in its Big Butterfly Count.

On average participants are seeing just over half the number of butterflies they were spotting this time last year.

The colder and wetter conditions this summer are contributing to lower butterfly numbers. 

With just one week remaining of the Big Butterfly Count, scientists are calling on the public to get outside for 15 minutes and record the number and type of butterflies they see. 

Dr Dan Hoare, director of conservation at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Butterflies need some warm and dry conditions to be able to fly around and mate.

"If the weather doesn’t allow for this there will be fewer opportunities to breed, and the lack of butterflies now is likely the knock-on effect of our very dreary spring and early summer.”

With populations of butterflies already depleted, they are less resilient to the impact of poor weather.

Dr Dan Hoare said: “The lack of butterflies this year is a warning sign to us all. Nature is sounding the alarm and we must listen. Butterflies are a key indicator species."