# iRecord Butterflies > Identify and record UK butterfly sightings for conservation research. (iPhone/iPad app by Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irecord-butterflies/id815539116 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Centre for Ecology and Hydrology](https://appshunter.io/developer/986306797) - Category: Education - Price: Free - Rating: 4.62/5 from 408 App Store ratings · 51 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 97 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2014-02-14 - Data updated: 2026-08-30 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irecord-butterflies/id815539116/reviews.md ## What is iRecord Butterflies? Butterflies are in trouble. A third of UK species are threatened and three-quarters are in decline. Butterfly recording is the foundation for protecting these beautiful creatures. The iRecord Butterflies app has been developed by the charity Butterfly Conservation and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology to help you identify the butterflies that you see and to submit your sightings through iRecord so that they can be used to protect butterflies and the environment. The app uses your location and the time of year to help with identification, presenting the butterflies that you are most likely to see at the top of the list. It has galleries of colour photographs showing all UK butterflies, at all stages of their life cycles, and tips to help with the identification of difficult species. You can use the app to record a single butterfly or create a list of different species seen during a visit to a site. Over half a million sightings have already been submitted through the iRecord Butterflies app and are being used by scientists and conservationists to provide vital information about how the fortunes of UK butterflies have changed over the decades. Your sightings will be used to help understand the causes of decline and to inform conservation action on the ground to help threatened species. ## Key features - Butterfly identification assistance - Location and time-based suggestions - Life cycle galleries - Identification tips - Single or multiple species recording - Submit sightings for research ## Recent user reviews (10 of 51) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irecord-butterflies/id815539116/reviews.md ### 1/5 — White screen *2026-05-23, version 2.6.8* I am running iOS 15.8.8 on my iPad but any recent changes have meant I can’t use the BC App as it just shows a white screen upon opening despite saying the App is compatible in the blurb. ### 1/5 — App won’t record data! *2025-07-18, version 2.6.4* Signed up for the app so I could take part in the butterfly count. I tried recording the butterflies I’d seen and the app kept giving me errors, e.g. location hadn’t been recorded. Tried to rectify the errors and save but then got a message saying I hadn’t recorded anything!! App now deleted and I will just enjoy watching the butterflies rather than trying to help count them. ### 1/5 — Needs bug fixes *2025-04-17, version 2.5.4* Unstable, time-consuming to complete a single record, and uses up too much battery- makes iPhone overheat in warm weather when trying to complete site survey. Not a good app for professionals, sorry. Conservation support and data collection deserves better technology than this. ### 2/5 — Limited moth identification *2024-08-18, version 2.5.4* The app is ok for butterflies, but it didn’t have any of the moths I had caught in the moth trap ### 2/5 — Great idea, not user friendly *2024-08-04, version 2.5.4* This is not an app for the general public, it’s for trained scientists or butterfly experts… who would not need the app, surely? One is expected to identify by choosing between geometrids or fritillaries etc. most people would not know this! Some identification options are in long lists that run off the bottom of the screen. You cannot scroll to the next option below. A disappointment and in a smaller phone at least, unusable. ### 3/5 — Issue. *2023-06-26, version 2.5.2* Hi. Fourth time of reloading this app. Why ? Because it keeps freezing on me. VERY annoying as the only way to sort is delete and reload. After reload all my uploaded record vanish. OK still I assume on iRecord somewhere but…. Please sort ! I GIVE UP !!! Crashed again so I have now deleted permanently. Will just not bother. ### 1/5 — No server available *2023-05-25, version 2.5.1* I’ve been using this app for several years but it doesn’t seem to be working properly - keep getting a message ‘server unavailable’ ### 1/5 — Doesn’t upload *2023-04-13, version 2.5.0* Can’t get it to upload sightings despite reloading app and starting again. Get the same error message each time sorry upload failed ### 3/5 — Nov 2022 *2022-11-11, version 2.5.0* I have just tried to upload two sightings from September but these have been unsuccessful due to a “network error”. I am also unable to load the app statistics. All my other apps are currently working and connected to the internet as I write this. I also tried the image cropping feature and as you zoom in to your butterfly it turns into a giant blob. Not suitable for photos taken at a distance and I would say that it really distorts the image. Usually the app works quite well. ### 5/5 — A really useful App for butterfly fans ! *2022-07-23, version 2.3.1* This is a very user-friendly App for rapidly and systematically identifying UK butterflies and recording relevant data, such as the geographical position where the butterfly was seen. You can easily add a mobile phone photo of the butterfly to your record and quickly upload everything to the iRecord website. I strongly recommend this App ! ## Frequently asked questions about iRecord Butterflies ### How does iRecord Butterflies help with identification? iRecord Butterflies uses your current location and the time of year to suggest butterflies you are likely to see. It also provides galleries with color photographs of all UK butterflies at different life stages and identification tips for challenging species. ### What happens to my butterfly sightings? Your submitted sightings are sent through iRecord and are used by scientists and conservationists. This data helps them understand butterfly population changes, causes of decline, and informs conservation actions for threatened species. ### Can I record multiple butterfly species at once? Yes, you can record a single butterfly sighting or create a list of different species observed during a visit to a particular site. ### What devices is iRecord Butterflies available on? The provided data does not specify device compatibility beyond being a mobile application. However, it was released on February 14, 2014, and last updated on May 28, 2026, suggesting it supports modern mobile operating systems. ### Is iRecord Butterflies suitable for children? The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young users. Its educational content on butterflies and conservation can be engaging for children interested in nature. ### How often is iRecord Butterflies updated? The app was last updated on May 28, 2026, indicating it receives regular updates. This frequency suggests ongoing development and maintenance to ensure its functionality and data accuracy. ### What is the user sentiment for iRecord Butterflies? Users generally have a positive experience with iRecord Butterflies, as indicated by its high rating of 4.6 stars from 408 ratings. This suggests users find the app useful for identification and contributing to conservation. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 2.6.9 — 2026-05-28 Bug fixes ## More apps by Centre for Ecology and Hydrology - [iRecord Grasshoppers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irecord-grasshoppers/id946228299) - [iRecord App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irecord-app/id1094633183) - [Rare Arable Flowers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rare-arable-flowers/id1107601988) - [Wetland Tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wetland-tool/id1107932152) - [Asian Hornet Watch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/asian-hornet-watch/id1161238813) All apps by Centre for Ecology and Hydrology: https://appshunter.io/developer/986306797 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*