Favourable weather boosts butterflies and bumblebees across Finland

Butterflies and bumblebees have been unusually abundant across Finland this summer, according to Yle. Bumblebee numbers rose by 69 per cent from last summer, while butterfly numbers increased by 43 per cent, based on preliminary monitoring data compiled by the Finnish Environment Institute.

Butterflies that appear in mid and late summer were particularly numerous. Small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies were clearly more common than in the previous two years, while meadow browns were abundant in many places.

Weather conditions have provided pollinators with plenty of food and suitable periods for movement and reproduction. An exceptionally dry spring ended in late May, after which rain alternated with warm, dry spells.

The strong results this summer do not indicate the long-term condition of the species. Reliable trends require time series covering as much as 10 to 20 years. Over the longer term, the main factors affecting pollinators are the loss of suitable habitats and climate change.

A joint European Union pollinator monitoring programme will begin in summer 2027.