Photos: Delicate, Disappearing Butterflies of Southern Britain

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Butterflies are facing extinction in southern Britain in the next 35 years if climate change continues unmitigated and habitats are converted for human use, according to a study published today (Aug. 10) in the journal Nature Climate Change. [Read the full butterfly story here.]

Green-veined

Drought-sensitive green-veined white butterfly. Credit Jim Asher.   

Skipper

Drought-sensitive large skipper butterfly. Credit: Tim Melling.

Ringlet greywalls

Drought-sensitive ringlet greywalls butterfly. Credit: Jim Asher.

Speckled wood

Drought-sensitive speckled wood marcham butterfly. Credit: Jim Asher.

Pasture landscape

Farmed pasture in Sommerset, England with areas of semi-natural habitat

Agriculture 

Agriculture in southern England with few areas of semi-natural habitat for butterflies

Elizabeth Goldbaum
Elizabeth Goldbaum
Staff Writer
Elizabeth is a staff writer for Live Science. She enjoys learning and writing about natural and health sciences, and is thrilled when she finds an evocative metaphor for an obscure scientific idea. She researched ancient iron formations in China for her Masters of Science degree in Geosciences at the University of California, Riverside, and went on to Columbia Journalism School for a master's degree in journalism, focusing on environmental and science writing.