Colourful, ethereal, and subtle, butterflies are everywhere around us – day and night, in the city and in the countryside. However, zoologists warn that their butterfly dance has become increasingly rare in recent years in European countries, including Bulgaria.

Despite their fragile looks, butterflies are among the most important indicators of the planet's well-being. Their disappearance could be an important warning sign that nature is suffering. 

Bulgaria is home to 211 species of butterfly, ranking fifth in the world. Few people realise that one in five species in the country is on the verge of extinction. Climate change is the main culprit for the loss of butterfly diversity globally. In Bulgaria, no specific studies have examined the causes, but one of the main factors is the formation of 'heat islands' – areas with little local vegetation or bodies of water, and high light pollution.

The Butterfly Conservation World Organisation is therefore calling on experts and amateur gardeners alike to take action to protect butterflies.