Gardens as an aid to the conservation of some butterfly species.

The Butterfly Conservation national garden butterfly survey aimed to formulate the perfect butterfly garden. Adult butterflies feed on sugary substances whilst their larvae eat highly specific plants which vary according to butterfly species. Many male butterflies need territorial perches, while some species need places to hibernate for the winter and all need roosting sites at night and during bad weather. Being cold blooded, butterflies also need places where they can absorb energy from the sun. We needed to discover if gardens were providing these requirements and if not, how they could be provided.