The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has started a project to reintroduce 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 been restoring habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now seeking £20,000 to complete the work.
The insects play key roles in the ecosystem: the large heath butterfly pollinates plants, the bog bush cricket aids decomposition and feeds birds, and the white-faced darter dragonfly controls populations of smaller invertebrates.
Senior nature recovery officer Dr Matt McMullen said the species would struggle to recover naturally due to habitat fragmentation and specific lifecycle needs. The project aims to give them a helping hand while restoring the wider ecosystem.
