The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has started a drive to bring back the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly, once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs.
These insects rely on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost due to human activity. LWT has restored habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project.
“These insects play vital roles in the ecosystem,” the trust said. The large heath butterfly pollinates plants, the bog bush cricket aids decomposition and serves as bird food, and the white-faced darter controls smaller invertebrate populations.
Dr Matt McMullen, senior nature recovery officer, explained that the species would struggle to recover on their own due to limited mobility and fragmented habitats. “We’re giving them the helping hand they need, but we can’t do it without public support,” he said.
