Butterfly city blooms in shadow of office blocks
A wildlife group in Hull has established a 'butterfly city' meadow near office buildings to support local insect populations. The project focuses on providing specific host plants for caterpillars, successfully attracting rare species like the small skipper.
Why it matters
It demonstrates how urban planning and corporate land management can effectively foster biodiversity in densely developed city centers.
Sean Clough says the discovery of the small skipper butterfly is "rare for a city" [BBC] A "butterfly city" has been created in the shadow of office blocks and a shopping centre.
Ten species of butterfly have been spotted in a "mini meadow" in Hull city centre, according to a wildlife group.
Grass and wild flowers have been allowed to grow on part of a site owned by the Land Registry, near St Stephen's Shopping Centre.
Sean Clough, from Hull Butterfly City, said small skipper butterflies had been breeding in the meadow, which he described as "rare for a city".
The meadow was established in 2023 as part of a scheme to encourage people to grow plants that provide food for caterpillars.
Clough said the small skipper needed grass left uncut throughout the year, "because the tiny caterpillar spends the winter inside a grass sheath".
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