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.
The insects’ habitats—lowland peatlands—have been reduced by 96% due to human activity. LWT has been restoring these areas by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project.
“These insects all play vital roles in the peatland ecosystem,” the trust said. The large heath butterfly pollinates plants such as cross-leaved heath, the bog bush cricket helps break down plant matter and feeds birds, and the white-faced darter dragonfly preys on smaller invertebrates to balance insect populations.
Senior nature recovery officer Dr Matt McMullen added that the species would struggle to recover naturally, noting the challenges they face with flight distance, fragmented habitats, and specific breeding conditions. Public support is crucial to help these insects return and restore the ecosystem.
