The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has launched a drive to reintroduce lost species including the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly, once common on 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 trust highlighted the ecological roles of these species: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket breaks down plant matter and feeds birds, and the dragonfly controls smaller insect populations.
Senior nature recovery officer Dr Matt McMullen said the species would struggle to recover naturally, noting that their limited mobility and specific habitat needs make conservation support essential.
