RINGLET (APHANTOPUS HYPERANTUS)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

To maintain a viable population of ringlet in the Wych valley

LOCAL TARGET

To increase the range of the species in the Wych valley by 2005

CURRENT STATUS

The ringlet is known from two sites in the south of Cheshire where the population is stable, the range has increased through observer awareness. Prior to these records the species had gone unrecorded since 1937.

This species requires damp areas with tall, uncultivated grasses on which to lay its eggs. It is found in a variety of shaded habitats including woodland edges and glades.

THREATS

Loss of habitat through inappropriate management, resulting in scrubbing over
Loss of habitat through intensification of farming

CURRENT ACTION

Records are collated by the Cheshire and Peak District branch of Butterfly Conservation.
Ongoing monitoring at key sites.

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Continued survey of potential new sites.
Monitoring of existing sites.

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

Survey of Wych valley in 2000 found one new site, previously unknown. Several suitable breeding sites were also pinpointed.
Due to lack of funds this year and no project officer no work was undertaken during the 2001/2002 winter
Surveys and monitoring of the Wych Valley colonies were carried out in 2003.
A new colony was found in south Cheshire on a private site in 2003.

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

Cheshire and Peak District branch of Butterfly Conservation	English Nature	Special Landscapes Project
Cheshire region Heathland LBAP Action Group	Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society	West Midlands Butterfly Conservation
Cheshire Wildlife Trust	rECOrd

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

DEFRA

FWAG

Landowners of sites adjacent to the established colonies

CONTACT

Paul Hill, Lepidoptera & Odonata LBAP Action Group
0871 734 0111

REFERENCES

Bourne, N., Kirkland P. & Warren, M. (1996): Action for Butterflies - Butterfly Conservation's Guidelines for producing Regional Action Plans, British Butterfly Conservation Society, Wareham.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.
Rutherford, C. I. (1993): Butterflies of Cheshire 1961 - 1982, The Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
Shaw, B. (1999): The Butterflies of Cheshire, National Museums and Galleries of Merseyside, Liverpool.

Date compiled - 1999
Date reviewed - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003