Britain’s native wildlife is dying out with butterflies and moths hit hard, a major study warns.
Researchers say 41 percent of species have seen numbers fall by an average of 13 percent since 1970.
They warn many are in “serious trouble” and could soon disappear forever — as experts confirmed 133 species have died out over the past 500 years.
The State of Nature 2019 report reveals that butterfly numbers have fallen 17 percent and moths by 25 percent.
But species of the insects requiring more specialized habitats, such as the high brown fritillary and grayling, are down by three-quarters. Mammals also fare badly with more than 26 percent of species at risk.
The wild cat and greater mouse-eared bat were among those “teetering on the brink.”
The report also noted increases in 26 percent of species and highlighted “inspiring” conservation efforts that have save bitterns and large blue butterflies.
But lead author Dr. Daniel Hayhow said: “We need to respond more urgently across the board if we are to put nature back where it belongs.”
Conservationists say evidence from the past 50 years shows the decline is due to changes in the way land is managed for agriculture, as well as pollution and climate change.
Rosie Hails, from the National Trust, called for new environmental laws to “hold our governments and others to account”.