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Thousands of violets planted to help save rare butterfly
Image source, Getty Images
A new project is beginning, aiming to plant thousands of purple flowers, and hopefully boost the numbers of a rare butterfly.
The small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly has faced severe declines in England recently.
But this project hopes to turn this around!
20,000 marsh violets will be planted by the National Trust and volunteers in the Shropshire Hills, on a scale that's never been seen before.
Why could planting these flowers help?
Wild marsh violets are a favourite food source for caterpillars of the small Pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly.
Experts hope by boosting the numbers of these plants, it could then become a main breeding habitat for the species.
They're focussing the planting on areas where the butterflies have been spotted, but there aren't enough violets for the caterpillars to feed on.
Caroline Uff, an expert consultant to the National Trust, says: "Through this new mass planting and habitat restoration the plan is to give these butterflies the space to move and flourish."
Why are these butterflies in decline?
Image source, Getty Images
The small Pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly is one of four species the National Trust are particularly looking to help.
Scientists say that human activity, including habitat destruction and climate change, are behind the change in butterfly numbers.
This planting project is part of a wider aim to support rare wildlife including willow tits, hazel dormice and otters.