The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has begun a project to reintroduce three rare species—large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly—once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs.
These insects depend on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost to human activity. LWT has been restoring habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project.
The charity highlighted the ecological importance of the species: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket aids decomposition and feeds birds, and the dragonfly helps control invertebrate populations.
Senior nature recovery officer Dr Matt McMullen said the insects would struggle to recover alone, but with habitat restoration and public support, their return is possible.
