WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK (SATYRIUM W-ALBUM)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

To achieve a more widespread distribution of White-letter hairstreak throughout the Cheshire region providing opportunities for a sustainable population to exist

LOCAL TARGET

To establish a more widespread distribution of the species in the county by 2005

CURRENT STATUS

The white-letter hairstreak has declined in the United Kingdom as a result of Dutch Elm Disease destroying its larval foodplant. In Cheshire it has a limited distribution.

The white-letter hairstreak depends upon elm as the larval foodplant - it is easier to locate the larvae than the adults flying around the tops of trees later in the season and as a consequence may be under-recorded.

THREATS

• Loss of elm trees through Dutch elm disease and felling operations.
• Loss of suckers through cutting of hedgerows.

CURRENT ACTION

• Training days on identification and monitoring / recording techniques are to be held.
• Cheshire and Peak District Branch of Butterfly Conservation are monitoring white-letter hairstreak at known sites and searching for new colonies.
• Records are collated by the Cheshire and Peak District Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Records will also be held at rECOrd.
• Ongoing monitoring at key sites.
  
  

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

• Continued distribution of Elm leaflet through Cheshire.
• Continued survey and monitoring.

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

• Local Biodiversity Action Plan Action Group established in 1997. Member bodies include several action plan implementers and individuals with specialist interest in the species. Butterfly Conservation - Cheshire and Peak District Branch are leading the group. The group are setting up systematic monitoring at all known sites and potential sites in the county.
• A successful landfill tax bid to ICI means this BAP shared in excess of £22.5k through to 2000.
• Due to lack of funds no project officer no work was undertaken during the 2001/2002 winter
• A leaflet was produced in 2001, to raise the profile of white-letter hairstreak and provide practical advice for landowners on elm management.
• Species recording and information card about Elms produced by Vale Royal Borough Council and Cheshire County Council.
• Two new colonies confirmed in Vale Royal in 2003.
• Continued distribution of Elm leaflet through Cheshire in 2003. Funding from MAGNET enabled leaflet to be distributed to all farms in Macclesfield BC.
• Major publicity event in 2003 at Wigg Island, Halton - White-letter Hairstreak viewing from a parked open top double-decker bus as part of the Wildspace Project.
  
  

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

None

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
Guest, J. (1997) pers comm.
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. (1983) Butterflies of Cheshire 1961 - 1982. The Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society
Shaw, B. (1995, 1996) Cheshire Butterfly Atlases 1994 & 1995. British Butterfly Conservation Society (Cheshire and Peak District) Cheshire

Date compiled - 1997
Date reviewed - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

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