The UK's 12 butterflies most in decline

The dingy skipper – a well camouflaged chap keen on basking in sunlight Photograph: David Dennis/Butterfly Conservation

The green hairstreak – previously widespread but falling sharply and tending to live in small colonies Photograph: Martin Warren/Butterfly Conservation

The high brown fritillary – one of the UK's most endangered species Photograph: David Dennis/Butterfly Conservation

The large skipper – a dainty fellow who is traditionally found throughout England but has suffered markedly from recent wet summers. Will venture into urban habitats such as parks or churchyards Photograph: David Dennis/Butterfly Conservation

The lulworth skipper – one of our smallest species, and, unlike its more daring cousin is only found in rural south Dorset Photograph: Jim Asher/Butterfly Conservation

The orange tip – formerly as frequent a visitor to UK gardens as the blackbird and sparrow Photograph: Butterfly Conservation

The pearl-bordered fritillary – a design classic, but one of our most endangered butterflies Photograph: Butterfly Conservation

The small heath – humble in name and humble in character, this species is an inconspicuous butterfly rarely seen settled more than a metre above ground Photograph: Collard Hill/Butterfly Conservation

The small skipper – another sun-seeker most likely to be seen basking during high summer Photograph: M Hitchcopse/Butterfly Conservation

The small tortoiseshell – another of the most well-known and commonly seen species, but now one worryingly in decline Photograph: Jim Asher/Butterfly Conservation

The white letter hairstreak – will need to demonstrate the same hardiness it showed after recovering from a big decline in the 1970s, when Dutch Elm disease hit its main source of food Photograph: Butterfly Conservation

The wood white – its delicate appearance is mirrored by the threat to its existence in the UK after a huge fall in numbers Photograph: Butterfly Conservation