Kent's butterflies need good weather in the coming months to recover from last year's dreadful summer, the wettest since records began.

Butterflies do not fly in the rain, making it impossible for them to reach the plants on whose nectar they feed. Heavy rain also means they are unable to breed.

Figures released by UK Butterfly Conservation reveal that butterflies have just suffered their worst year for over a quarter of a century. Several species had their lowest ever recorded numbers.

The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, operated by the charity Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology collates data collected by thousands of volunteers. Eight butterflies found in the county were at an all-time low including the Duke of Burgundy, which is already the victim of years of decline.

Conservationists will have to wait to see what happens this year and whether the butterflies manage to recover. They fear that last year's problems and the knock-on effect on breeding will exacerbate the downward spiral of numbers. If this happens some species could be facing local extinction.

An expert's viewKent-based world butterfly expert Dick Vane-Wright said the Duke of Burgundy is already very rare in Kent, hanging on at just two or maybe three sites. It is already extinct in Surrey.

"In Kent, the Grayling is also in dire straits," said Dr Vane-Wright, the former Keeper of Entomology at the Natural History Museum, who lives in Canterbury. "I think it is very likely that both these species will disappear from Kent altogether- although local conservationists are making strenuous efforts to try to keep them going.

"But these were always rather local species. What amazes me is the decline of species like the Wall - when I was growing up in Kent in the 1950s, it could be seen almost anywhere. Most years now I don't come across any at all.

"Changes in agriculture and climate change are probably the important factors in this case."

Appeal for funds to stop extinctionSir David Attenborough, president of Butterfly Conservation, is promoting a Stop Extinction Appeal to raise funds to help avoid a crisis. Donations can be made by clicking the link above.

He said: "Butterflies face mounting threats. Some face possible extinction. Money from Butterfly Conservation's Stop Extinction Appeal will restore countryside for butterflies and other wildlife."

Biodiversity Minister Joan Ruddock has promised the Government will support schemes to help promote a recovery in butterfly numbers.

She said: "Butterflies are a vital element of the British summer. Their numbers indicate whether or not there are problems in the countryside. Butterfly populations also indicate the speed and extent of climate change."

For more information about butterflies go to UK Butterfly Conservation or Butterfly Conservation - Kent branch.

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Kent casualties:Duke Of Burgundy - Typical sites include old chalk quarries, disused railway cuttings and sheltered chalk grassland coombes in the south, and grassland / woodland mosaics on limestone in the north

Chalkhill blue - This species is found on chalk and limestone downland typically found on sheltered, south-facing hillsides

Speckled wood - Named as it often flies in partly shaded woodland with dappled sunlight

Common blue - The most widespread blue butterfly in Britain and is found in grassy habitats

Small tortoiseshell - Commonly found in gardens. It is one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring

Small skipper - Small with a darting flight. An insect of high summer

Wall butterfly - Named after its habit of basking on walls, rocks, and stony places

Grayling - Widespread on the coast and southern heaths