Conservationists have spotted 11 white-letter hairstreak butterflies and three caterpillars after planting 430 disease-resistant elm trees in the Quantock Hills.
How the planting effort connects to butterfly recovery
The Friends of the Quantocks planted the elms across 38 plots of land to restore habitat for the white-letter hairstreak, which relies on mature elm trees for survival.
Robin Stamp, chairman of the group, said volunteers had previously found about 100 existing elm trees in the area before adding the new plantings.
Why the species has declined despite conservation efforts
The white-letter hairstreak population has fallen by 80% since monitoring began in 1973, according to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
Stamp explained that the butterflies favor tall, flowering elms, but Dutch elm disease often kills trees before they reach full height, limiting available habitat.
What the project aims to achieve moving forward
The initiative received funding from the farming in a protected landscape fund to cover planting costs.
Stamp said the group hopes to find more butterflies this year and is searching for other butterfly species not seen in the Quantocks for years.
How many trees were planted in total?
The Friends of the Quantocks planted 430 disease-resistant elm trees across 38 plots of land.
What is the main threat to elm trees in the area?
Dutch elm disease means many trees die before they reach their full height, which limits habitat for the white-letter hairstreak butterfly.