Butterflies, symbols of transformation and beauty, are disappearing at an alarming rate. A recent study has revealed that in the last 20 years, one in five butterfly species has vanished , while more than 100 species have seen their populations decline by more than 50% . This decline not only threatens biodiversity but also has serious implications for the planet's ecological balance.

Butterflies play a crucial role in ecosystems, acting as pollinators and forming part of the food chain for many other species. However, their drastic decline is due to several factors:

• Habitat loss: Urban expansion, deforestation, and intensive agriculture have significantly reduced the spaces where butterflies can live and reproduce.
• Use of pesticides and herbicides: These substances affect not only pests, but also beneficial insects such as butterflies and bees, damaging their development and survival.
• Climate change: Rising temperatures and altered weather patterns affect the life cycle of butterflies, making it difficult for them to migrate and reproduce.
• Environmental pollution : Polluted air and the reduction of native nectar-rich plants have limited food sources for many butterfly species.

Why is this disappearance worrying?

The decline in butterflies is not just an aesthetic or symbolic problem; their disappearance has devastating effects on nature:

• Impact on pollination: Many plants depend on butterflies for reproduction. Their decline could reduce the production of fruits and seeds essential for biodiversity.
• Food chain imbalance: Butterflies are food for birds, bats, and other insects. Their scarcity affects these predators and can trigger a domino effect in ecosystems.
• Indicators of environmental health: Butterflies are bioindicators, meaning that their decline reflects a deterioration of the environment that also affects humans.

The disappearance of butterflies is a stark warning about environmental degradation and the urgent need to take action to reverse this situation. Their loss not only affects biodiversity but also the balance of the ecosystems on which we depend. Protecting them is everyone's responsibility, and we still have time to make a difference.