MANY butterfly species are struggling in East Lancashire despite a national boom in some of the rarer types, a conservationist for the insects has said.

It comes after a study by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology showed that on a national scale there had been a notable increase in some of the less common species of butterfly, sparked by this year’s record-breaking warm spring.

And even in other parts of Lancashire, some very rare species of butterfly, such as the Northern Brown Argus and the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, which had almost died out in other parts of the country, have been growing in population.

But according to Laura Sivell, from the Lancashire branch of Butterfly Conservation, East Lancashire’s landscape has not been suitable for many types of butterfly.

She said: “On a national scale, East Lancashire is one of the worst places for butterflies because of the type of landscape there.

“There is nothing we can do about it, but it would give more opportunities for butterflies if farming was less intensive and there were fewer sheep.

“But farmers do have to make a living and you cannot have everything in one place - you need a variety of landscape types to suite all wildlife.”

But she did add that the Ringlet butterfly seemed to be doing well in areas of Blackburn with Darwen and species like the Orange Tip, Peacock and Tortoiseshell could be found in gardens in the area.

Among the butterflies which cannot be found anywhere in East Lancashire are the Duke of Burgundy, which saw a 65 per cent rise between 2010 and 2011 nationally, and the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, which was up by 103 per cent in the UK.

Laura said that it was now really important that people in the region sent their sightings into the society so that records could be kept up-to-date.

She said: “The more records we have, even if it is just what people have seen in the gardens, it helps to put dots on the map and find out what is happening to the butterflies.”

To send in your sightings, visit www.butterflyconservation.org

BUTTERFLY SPECIES

Ringlet - This butterfly is commonly found in areas of Blackburn with Darwen as it prefers sheltered and damp habitats. The rings on its hind wings give it its name.

Orange Tip - This species can often be found in East Lancashire gardens and is one of the first to emerge in the spring. Only the females have orange tips - the males are all white.

Peacock - Peacocks are a common sight in British gardens and are unmistakable, with eyes on the upper side of the hind wings.

Tortoiseshell - One of the most familiar northern garden butterflies, which has seen a decline in the south over the past few years.

Duke of Burgundy - The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology survey found that this butterfly had increased in population by 65 per cent in the UK.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary - The same survey found this butterfly had more than doubled in the UK. It has orange and black wings with silver markings on the underside.