Large and colourful butterflies attract far more public and scientific attention than smaller, duller species, according to new research. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals that this bias towards beauty results in less conspicuous butterflies being overlooked in conservation programmes.
Survey reveals beauty bias
Researchers surveyed more than 21,000 people from over 100 countries, asking them to rate the beauty of European butterflies on a scale of 1 to 10 based on first impressions. The results show that larger, more colourful and patterned species, such as the yellow swallowtail, were consistently rated more attractive than smaller, brownish species like the alpine grayling.
This bias extends into scientific research, with more studies conducted on attractive species and more funding and resources allocated to their conservation. In contrast, national and European red lists, which use fixed measurement criteria, do not exhibit this beauty bias.
Threats to inconspicuous species
Recent red lists indicate that many small, brown, less attractive butterfly species are facing the greatest threat from climate breakdown. The authors argue that conservation programmes need to recognise this bias and give greater consideration to inconspicuous butterflies, which play equally important roles in ecosystems.
