欧洲蝴蝶监测的历史、现状与我国的发展对策

蝴蝶是进行生物多样性监测、评估及生态环境影响评价的重要指示生物.欧洲对蝴蝶的种类组成、种群动态与分布的长期监测已有数十年的历史,先后实施了许多具有国际性影响的长期监测计划.这些计划的目标是评估区域及国家范围的蝴蝶物种丰富度的变化趋势,分析其与栖境和气候变化等环境因素的相关性,为研究、保护和利用蝴蝶资源及预测环境变化提供基础数据,并在蝴蝶受威胁等级的划分、保护措施的制定、生态环境保护与管理等方面发挥了重要作用.本文在总结欧洲蝴蝶监测历史及现状的基础上,着重介绍英国蝴蝶监测计划(The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, UKBMS)、德国及欧盟等重要的蝴蝶监测计划,同时提出了开展我国蝴蝶监测工作的具体建议.     

Initial population trends from a 5-year butterfly monitoring scheme

The Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme started in 2007. The main objective of this study was to examine initial population trends from data gathered over 5 years (2008–2012) by approximately 150 volunteers across the Republic of Ireland. Nine of the 15 species analysed showed changes in population over the 5-year period; three species showed steep or moderate increases while six species showed moderate or steep declines in population. Some of these population changes are due to the highly variable weather conditions over the five years of monitoring, particularly the unusually cool, wet summer of 2012. However, factors affecting butterfly population trends are many and varied, so longer-term data are required to assess trends more reliably. A further six species had indeterminate trends over the 5-year period however, as the scheme develops, longer-term trends will have greater statistical reliability and give a clearer insight into Irish butterfly populations. The Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme is important in the national context, as there is little other countrywide systematic monitoring of insect populations. Furthermore, with a growing number of such standardised monitoring schemes internationally and development of bioindicators, it is now possible to monitor and track butterfly populations at larger spatial scales. We recommend that the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme is continued over the long term and expanded to ensure that more Irish butterfly species are sufficiently monitored. However, in addition to monitoring population trends, basic research is still needed into the ecology and population dynamics of common butterfly species.     

Conservation of moths in The Netherlands: population trends, distribution patterns and monitoring techniques of day-flying moths

The loss of butterfly diversity in north-western Europe has been studied extensively but much less is known about the status of other macrolepidoptera. The present paper presents results of the research on mainly day-flying larger moths carried out by Dutch Butterfly Conservation in The Netherlands. Research started in 1992 with a public campaign and a mapping programme, leading to an increase in the number of records of macrolepidoptera. Results from the mapping programme on day-flying moths showed a strong general decrease in The Netherlands, comparable with the loss of butterfly diversity. Transect counts have been undertaken since 2000 for a few species and this method is sufficient to measure trends over time if the moth densities are high enough. Another research component was to focus on marshland habitats in The Netherlands. Fifty-five characteristic marshland moth species were selected and the relative abundance of nearly all these species has declined. These trends were compared with four other countries in the Atlantic biogeographical zone. The relative abundance of the majority of marshland moths in The Netherlands was found to be higher than those in other European countries, so that The Netherlands has a special responsibility for the conservation of the moths of its marshes. Moreover, we emphasise that, next to butterflies, moths can be of great use in nature conservation because of their potential significance as indicator species in endangered habitats.     

The development of butterfly indicators in the United Kingdom and assessments in 2010

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has national and international commitments to tackle the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Biodiversity indicators are used to measure and communicate progress in meeting these commitments. From 2005 onwards, butterflies have been adopted as Governmental biodiversity indicators in England, Scotland and for the UK as a whole. The indicators are compiled using butterfly abundance data collected through the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, at a network of site established from 1976 onwards. The indicators show that butterfly numbers have fluctuated considerably from year-to-year, though analysis of the underlying smoothed multi-species trends for (habitat) ??specialist?? species show significant long-term declines in each country since the 1970s. Trends in wider countryside ??generalist?? species vary at the country-level from little or no overall change in Scotland and across the UK, to declines over selected years in England. Comparisons of changes in butterfly abundance before and after the 2010 target was set in 2002 suggest that the rate of decline at the UK-level is increasing for specialist species. In spite of large amounts of investment since 2000 to improve the habitat condition of protected areas, the trend for butterfly populations is no different in protected areas compared to elsewhere. Analysis by policy sector in England, shows that butterflies are declining rapidly in both forestry land and farmland, although in the latter habitat type, improvements are being seen on land entered into agri-environment schemes. We conclude by assessing the extent to which butterflies may represent broader biodiversity and help inform and evaluate conservation policy.     

Using a phenological network to assess weather influences on first appearance of butterflies in the Netherlands

Phenological responses of butterflies to temperature have been demonstrated in several European countries by using data from standardized butterfly monitoring schemes. Recently, phenological networks have enabled volunteers to record phenological observations at project websites. In this study, the quality of the first appearance data of butterflies from the Dutch phenological network ‘De Natuurkalender’ was examined and these data were then used to analyze trends in butterfly appearance between 2001 and 2013, the effects of climatic factors on appearance of butterflies as well as the phenological interaction of one butterfly species, Anthocharis cardamines, and its two major host plants. Although phenological networks are relatively unstructured, this study shows that data from De Natuurkalender were highly comparable to more standardized data collected by the Dutch Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. No trend in first appearance of any butterfly species was found during the time period 2001–2013. The first appearance dates of most butterflies showed, however, a clear relationship with spring temperature. Higher temperatures, especially in March and April, advanced the first appearance of butterflies. Therefore, with climatic warming in the future, earlier appearance of butterflies is expected. Although climate warming is a potential threat for phenological mismatches between different trophic levels, this study shows a similar temperature response of A. cardamines and its main host plants in the Netherlands. However, as only few phenological interactions between species are examined, further research including rarer monophagous butterfly species and their host plants is needed.     

Indexing European bird population trends using results of national monitoring schemes: a trial of a new method

Many European countries have annual breeding bird monitoring schemes based on nationwide samples; most are in northern and western Europe. We have developed a method to produce yearly population indices of bird species across countries by combining the results of existing national schemes. The method takes into account the differences in population sizes per country, as well as the differences in field methods, and the numbers of sites and years covered by the national schemes. In order to test the method, we collected raw data from a number of countries and applied an index method to produce scheme results per country. Data were collected for five farmland species (Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Linnet Carduelis cannabina, Skylark Alauda arvensis, Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella), from seven countries (UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Latvia and Estonia) for a 20-year period (1978–97). The trial demonstrated that it was possible to combine national indices to provide supra-national yearly totals and their standard errors; the results were similar to those produced when the raw data were used. Thus, yearly European indices can be produced by exchanging only limited amounts of information, that is the national yearly indices of each species or, preferably, the yearly population numbers and their standard errors. At a European scale, the populations of the five species selected have changed considerably. In western Europe (UK, Netherlands, Denmark and former West Germany combined), Linnet, Skylark and Yellowhammer have declined and Whitethroat has increased. Most changes occurred during the first ten-year period (1978–88). The changes in eastern Europe (the remaining countries) were less clear, in part because the statistical power of the national schemes is as yet limited.     

An indicator highlights seasonal variation in the response of Lepidoptera communities to warming

The impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems are increasingly evident. While these tend to be clearest with respect to changes in phenology and distribution ranges, there are also important consequences for population sizes and community structure. There is an urgent need to develop ecological indicators that can be used to detect climate-driven changes in ecological communities, and identify how those impacts may vary spatially. Here we describe the development of a new community-based seasonal climate change indicator that uses national population and weather indices. We test this indicator using Lepidopteran and co-located weather data collected across a range of UK Environmental Change Network (ECN) sites. We compare our butterfly indicator with estimates derived from an alternative, previously published metric, the Community Temperature Index (CTI).First, we quantified the effect of temperature on population growth rates of moths and butterflies (Species Temperature Response, STR) by modelling annual variation in national population indices as a function of nationally averaged seasonal variation in temperature, using species and weather data independent of the ECN data. Then, we calculated average STRs for annually summarised species data from each ECN site, weighted by species’ abundance, to produce the Community Temperature Response (CTR). Finally, we tested the extent to which CTR correlated with spatial variation in temperature between sites and the extent to which temporal variation in CTR tracked both annual and seasonal warming trends.Mean site CTR was positively correlated with mean site temperature for moths but not butterflies. However, spatial variation in moth communities was well explained by mean site summer temperature and butterfly communities by winter temperature, respectively accounting for 74% and 63% of variation. Temporal variation in moth and butterfly CTR within sites did not vary with the mean annual temperature but responded to variation in the mean temperature of specific seasons. There were positive correlations between moth seasonal CTRs and seasonal temperatures in winter, spring and summer; and butterfly seasonal CTRs and seasonal temperatures in winter and summer. Butterfly CTR and CTI both correlated spatially and temporally with winter temperature.Our results highlight the need for seasonality to be considered when examining the impact of climate change on communities. Seasonal CTRs may be used to track the impact of changing temperatures on biodiversity and help identify potential mechanisms by which climate change is affecting communities. In the case of Lepidoptera, our results suggest that future warming may reassemble Lepidoptera communities.     

Modelling the European Farmland Bird Indicator in response to forecast land-use change in Europe

The European Farmland Bird Indicator (EFBI) has been adopted as a Structural and Sustainable Development Indicator by the European Union. It is an aggregated index integrating the population trends of 33 common bird species associated with farmland habitats across 21 countries. We describe a modelling method for predicting this indicator from land-use characteristics. Using yearly historical land-use data of crop areas derived from the FAO databases (1990–2007) and published population data of farmland birds at the national level for the same period, we developed a series of multiple regression models to predict the trend of the EU state specific indicator, and the EFBI. These models incorporated up to 4 parameters and were selected based upon the significance (p < 0.05) of the model inputs with respect to the predictive variable. 17 separate models were developed in total for each of 14 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland, and a separate model for the EU level indicator. The selected models were then implemented to predict the EFBI in the year 2025, using scenarios of land-use change generated by the CAPRI agricultural model. The uncertainty of using the regression models is discussed with respect to predicting the likely impacts of land-use change on bird populations. This work lays the framework for future modelling of farmland birds at the international scale.     

Assessing species’ habitat associations from occurrence records,standardised monitoring data and expert opinion: A test with British butterflies

Accurate knowledge of species’ habitat associations is important for conservation planning and policy. Assessing habitat associations is a vital precursor to selecting appropriate indicator species for prioritising sites for conservation or assessing trends in habitat quality. However, much existing knowledge is based on qualitative expert opinion or local scale studies, and may not remain accurate across different spatial scales or geographic locations. Data from biological recording schemes have the potential to provide objective measures of habitat association, with the ability to account for spatial variation. We used data on 50 British butterfly species as a test case to investigate the correspondence of data-derived measures of habitat association with expert opinion, from two different butterfly recording schemes. One scheme collected large quantities of occurrence data (c. 3 million records) and the other, lower quantities of standardised monitoring data (c. 1400 sites). We used general linear mixed effects models to derive scores of association with broad-leaf woodland for both datasets and compared them with scores canvassed from experts.Scores derived from occurrence and abundance data both showed strongly positive correlations with expert opinion. However, only for occurrence data did these fell within the range of correlations between experts. Data-derived scores showed regional spatial variation in the strength of butterfly associations with broad-leaf woodland, with a significant latitudinal trend in 26% of species. Sub-sampling of the data suggested a mean sample size of 5000 occurrence records per species to gain an accurate estimation of habitat association, although habitat specialists are likely to be readily detected using several hundred records. Occurrence data from recording schemes can thus provide easily obtained, objective, quantitative measures of habitat association.     

Urban indicators for UK butterflies

Most people live in urban environments and there is a need to produce abundance indices to assist policy and management of urban greenspaces and gardens. While regional indices are produced, with the exception of birds, studies of the differences between urban and rural areas are rare. We explore these differences for UK butterflies, with the intention to describe changes that are relevant to people living in urban areas, in order to better connect people with nature in support of conservation, provide a measure relevant to human well-being, and assess the biodiversity status of the urban environment.Transects walked under the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme are classified as urban or rural, using a classification for urban morphological zones. We use models from the Generalised Abundance Index family to produce urban and rural indices of relative abundance for UK butterfly species. Composite indices are constructed for various subsets of species. For univoltine and bivoltine species, where we are able to fit phenomenological models, we estimate measures of phenology and identify urban/rural differences. Trends in relative abundance over the period 1995–2014 are more negative in urban areas compared to rural areas for 25 out of 28 species. For the composite indices, all trends are negative, and they are significantly more negative for urban areas than for rural areas. Analysis of phenological parameters shows butterflies tend to emerge earlier in urban than in rural areas. In addition, some fly longer in urban than in rural areas, whereas in other cases the opposite is the case, and hypotheses are proposed to account for these features.Investigating new urban/rural indicators has revealed national declines that are stronger for urban areas. For continued monitoring, there is a need for an urban butterfly indicator, and for this to be evaluated and reported annually. We explain how this may be interpreted, and the relevance for other monitoring schemes. The results of this paper, including the phenological findings, shed new light on the potentially deleterious effects of urbanisation and climate change, which require suitable monitoring and reporting to support policy and management, for example of urban greenspaces and gardens.     

Environmental controls on butterfly occurrence and species richness in Israel: The importance of temperature over rainfall

Butterflies are considered important indicators representing the state of biodiversity and key ecosystem functions, but their use as bioindicators requires a better understanding of how their observed response is linked to environmental factors. Moreover, better understanding how butterfly faunas vary with climate and land cover may be useful to estimate the potential impacts of various drivers, including climate change, botanical succession, grazing, and afforestation. It is particularly important to establish which species of butterflies are sensitive to each environmental driver.The study took place in Israel, including the West Bank and Golan Heights.To develop a robust and systematic approach for identifying how butterfly faunas vary with the environment, we analyzed the occurrence of 73 species and the abundance of 24 species from Israeli Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS‐IL) data. We used regional generalized additive models to quantify butterfly abundance, and generalized linear latent variable models and generalized linear models to quantify the impact of temperature, rainfall, soil type, and habitat on individual species and on the species community.Species richness was higher for cooler transects, and also for hilly and mountainous transects in the Mediterranean region (rendzina and Terra rossa soils) compared with the coastal plain (Hamra soil) and semiarid northern Jordan Vale (loessial sierozem soil). Species occurrence was better explained by temperature (negative correlation) than precipitation, while for abundance the opposite pattern was found. Soil type and habitat were insignificant drivers of occurrence and abundance.Butterfly faunas responded very strongly to temperature, even when accounting for other environmental factors. We expect that some butterfly species will disappear from marginal sites with global warming, and a large proportion will become rarer as the region becomes increasingly arid.     

Butterfly,spider, and plant communities in different land-use types in Sardinia,Italy

Butterfly, spider, and plant species richness and diversity were investigated in five different land-use types in Sardinia. In 16 one-hectare plots we measured a set of 15 environmental variables to detect the most important factors determining patterns of variation in species richness, particularly endemicity. The studied land-use types encompassed homogeneous and heterogeneous shrublands, shrublands with tree-overstorey, Quercus forest and agricultural land. A total of 30 butterfly species, among which 10 endemics, and 50 spider (morpho)species, were recorded. Butterfly and spider community composition differed according to land-use type. The main environmental factors determining diversity patterns in butterflies were the presence of flowers and trees. Spiders reacted mainly to habitat heterogeneity and land-use type. Traditional land-use did not have adverse effects on the diversity of butterflies, spiders, or plants. The number of endemic butterfly species per treatment increased with total species richness and altitude. Butterfly and spider richness did not co-vary across the five land-use types. Butterflies were, however, positively associated with plant species richness and elevation, whereas spiders were not. Conclusively, butterflies did not appear to be good indicators for spider diversity and species richness at the studied sites.     

Insects of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site

A variety of collection methods were used to inventory the insect diversity of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline. A total of 75 butterfly species in five families were collected and identified. Twenty-six percent of the butterfly species were open country species. The butterflies were all typical of the coastal zone and no endangered or narrowly endemic species were recorded. The Muni-Pomadze site was also rich in other insect species (67 insect species belonging to 15 orders) as a result of the diverse terrestrial habitats surrounding the lagoon. Butterfly species composition changed with habitat indicating a fine-grained response by the butterfly communities to habitat changes. Data from long-term monitoring of butterfly communities at Muni-Pomadze could prove useful as indicators of habitat quality.     

Saproxylic beetles as indicator species for dead-wood amount and temperature in European beech forests

Beech forests in Central Europe are under strong anthropogenic pressure. Yet they play a fundamental role for biodiversity and are therefore increasingly considered in conservation activities. Sites of high conservation value can be efficiently defined by the use of indicator species, but very few studies have identified indicator species for beech forests on a continental scale. Here we determined the efficacy of saproxylic beetles as indicator species for European beech forests and studied the effect of the amount of dead wood and temperature on their presence. We analyzed data from 988 trap catches from 209 sites in 7 European countries. Using the flexible indicator approach, which allowed combinations of two temperature groups (warm and cool) and three dead-wood amount categories (small, intermediate, high) to be considered, we identified 127 indicator species. Generally, we found more indicator species of beetles at warmer sites and at sites with larger amounts of dead wood. Indicator species at cooler sites were found only in combination with larger amounts of dead wood. We present a comprehensive, data-based list of indicator species of saproxylic beetle for near-natural beech forests, as required in the framework of the European Natura-2000 concept for habitat evaluation. We identified the conspicuous Lucanidae as the family with the highest percentage of indicator species and thus recommend it as a priority indicator group for monitoring. Our results furthermore provide evidence that large amounts of dead wood are particularly important in cool, montane beech forests for maintaining high diversity.     

龙栖山自然保护区蝴蝶群落多样性及区系组成

蝴蝶是生态质量和环境变化的重要指示生物。查明福建省龙栖山国家级自然保护区蝴蝶资源及其动态对龙栖山生物多样性保护和研究具有重要意义。通过2016-2018年对龙栖山自然保护区蝴蝶的持续调查和观测, 应用Shannon-Wiener指数及相对多度分析研究了蝴蝶的多样性、种群动态和区系成分。结果表明: 龙栖山自然保护区的蝶类有5科107属193种。在龙栖山样区设置的6条样线中, 小沛样线的属和种数均为最多, 共48属58种; 属于国家保护的蝴蝶有6种; 区系组成主要以东洋种成分(79.3%)为主, 广布种成分次之(21.2%); 蝴蝶优势种组成在不同年度间稍有变化, 持续稳定的优势种为矍眼蝶(Ypthima baldus)。     

Are butterflies and moths useful indicators for restoration monitoring? A pilot study in Sydney's Cumberland Plain Woodland

Summary   Moths and butterflies are strongly associated with vegetation structure and composition, which makes them a suitable indicator taxon for various ecological studies. Despite a good knowledge of many Australian lepidopteran taxa, they have rarely been used for restoration assessment. To explore the feasibility of using Lepidoptera as an indicator taxon for restoration monitoring in Australia, we used it to evaluate the success of a large-scale revegetation program in western Sydney. We compared moth and butterfly assemblages sampled with relatively low intensity in unrestored pastures, revegetated pastures and remnants of endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland (restoration aim). A light-trap survey of moth assemblages showed no significant differences in moth species richness and composition between any of the treatments with traps in revegetated areas producing most species rich samples. Butterfly surveys conducted over a 1-year period showed a considerable increase in butterfly species richness in revegetated areas compared to pastures, while forest remnants still had twice as many butterfly species compared to revegetated areas. Current revegetation practices employed to restore Cumberland Plain Woodland increased the diversity of lepidopteran assemblages, however, it is not clear whether they are on a trajectory towards the reference assemblages of forest remnants. Our study demonstrates that Lepidoptera, particularly butterflies, has a potential for broader application as an indicator group in restoration monitoring in Australia.     

Extracting useful data from imperfect monitoring schemes: endangered butterflies at San Bruno Mountain,San Mateo County,California (1982–2000) and implications for habitat management

Managers surveyed for sensitive butterfly species in the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan area between 1982 and 2000 using an opportunistic “wandering transect” method. To extract as much valuable information as possible from the data collected by this method we analyzed patterns of surveys and butterfly presence and absence within 250 m square cells gridded across the area within a Geographic Information System. While estimates of butterfly abundance were not possible, the data could be tested for trends in butterfly occupancy. For those cells surveyed during at least 10 years, no trends in the total number of occupied cells was evident for either Callippe silverspot or mission blue butterfly. There were cells, however, that showed positive or negative trends (P < 0.20) in occupancy for each species (Callippe silverspot: 14 positive, 15 negative, 6 cells occupied all years; mission blue butterfly: 40 positive, 40 negative, 2 cells occupied all years). We conclude that for the period 1982–2000 the population of each species was stable in overall total distribution, but indicate geographic areas of concern for each, specifically the edges of the northeast ridge for Callippe silverspot butterfly and the northwest of the study area for mission blue butterfly. Vegetation composition analysis using orthophotography with field corroboration indicates that those areas with declines in occupancy for these species experienced native coastal scrub succession and a corresponding loss in grassland butterfly habitat, while positive trending and stable cells had stable grassland proportions. Habitat managers at San Bruno Mountain should therefore incorporate programs for protecting grassland butterfly habitat not only from invasive weeds but also from succession to native coastal scrub. This approach illustrates the feasibility of using occupancy as an indicator to track butterfly status in a protected area even when suboptimal data collection methods are used, but the difficulties of using these data also reinforces the need for managers to devise monitoring schemes appropriate for their objectives before implementing them.     

Recent trends in butterfly populations from north-east Spain and Andorra in the light of habitat and climate change

Although butterfly declines have been reported across Europe, no assessment based on detailed quantitative data has ever been made for any extensive area in the Mediterranean Basin. In 1994, a Butterfly Monitoring Scheme was launched in Catalonia (NE Spain), and in 2005 a similar, albeit much smaller, scheme started in the neighbouring Pyrenean country of Andorra. Here we provide a first thorough assessment of butterfly trends in both areas for the last 15 years. Several patterns emerged, above all a worrying decline of a substantial part of the fauna. It was also evident that habitat specialists are experiencing greater declines than habitat generalists, thereby butterfly communities becoming progressively dominated by common species. However, habitat indicators based on characteristic species also revealed that trends are actually associated with habitat types, grassland and scrub specialists declining strongly but woodland specialists showing a marginal increase. These differences are certainly related to profound landscape changes, mainly a dramatic reduction of semi-natural grasslands and open Mediterranean scrub, and a major increase in woodlands. The general effect of climatic warming on butterfly populations was investigated by using the temperature community index (CTI) approach. The thermal structure of butterfly communities remained very stable over time, except in one case where, contrary to the expectations, a significant negative trend in the CTI was noted. However, this surprising result can be explained by taking into account the above-reported pattern of butterfly communities becoming dominated by common species, characterized by low thermal indices in comparison with declining Mediterranean specialists.     

Inter‐annual monitoring improves diversity estimation of tropical butterfly assemblages

Monitoring programs for diverse tropical butterfly assemblages are scarce, and temporal diversity patterns in these assemblages are poorly understood. We adopted an additive partitioning approach to determine how temporal butterfly species richness was structured at the levels of days, months, and years in five tropical/subtropical sites across three continents covering up to 9 years of monitoring. We found that observed butterfly richness was not uniformly distributed across temporal extents. Butterfly species composition differed across months and years, potentially accounting for the fact that temporal butterfly species richness contributed a high proportion to total species richness. We further examined how species richness of common and uncommon species (> and <0.5% of total abundance, respectively) were structured across temporal extents. The results showed that the common species relative contribution to total species richness was higher at lower‐temporal levels, whereas uncommon species contributed more at higher‐temporal resolutions. This suggests that long‐term sampling will be more effective in capturing patterns of rare species and the total species pool while lower‐temporal level sampling (e.g., daily or weekly) may be more useful in examining common species demographic patterns. We therefore encourage careful consideration of temporal replication at different extents in developing butterfly monitoring schemes. Long‐term monitoring is essential for improvement in the resolution of species estimation and diversity patterns for tropical ecosystems. Abstract in Chinese is available with online material.     

Developing and launching a wider countryside butterfly survey across the United Kingdom

Many butterfly species that were historically common throughout the UK are thought to have declined due to land use intensification, whilst others have increased regionally due to climate change. Population trends in these species are inadequately assessed by current monitoring programmes: the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) mainly samples semi-natural habitats; coarse-scale distribution recording under-estimates declines in population abundance. We designed a scheme (the wider countryside butterfly survey—WCBS) to provide unbiased abundance trends for widespread butterfly species across the whole countryside. The WCBS has been developed over a 3 year pilot study, culminating in a UK-wide roll out in 2009. After testing a range of survey methods, the scheme involves visiting randomly selected 1-km squares at least twice during July–August and walking a linear transect route, counting the number of individual butterflies seen within 5 m. A method for volunteer recorders to collect abundance data on non-lepidopteran insects was also tested. The results of the first year of the WCBS and future plans for the scheme will be described.