WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK (SATYRIUM W-ALBUM)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN
Links to associated HAPs
None
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.
How are we helping to conserve the White-letter Hairstreak in the Cheshire region?
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Training days on identification and monitoring / recording techniques are to be held.
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Cheshire and Peak District Branch of Butterfly Conservation are monitoring white-letter hairstreak at known sites and searching for new colonies.
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Records are collated by the Cheshire and Peak District Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Records will also be held at rECOrd.
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Ongoing monitoring at key sites.
Objectives, Targets and Actions
OBJECTIVES |
LOCAL TARGETS |
To achieve a more widespread distribution of White-letter hairstreak throughout the Cheshire region providing opportunities for a sustainable population to exist |
To establish a more widespread distribution of the species in the county by 2005 |
ACTIONS REQUIRED |
- Continued distribution of Elm leaflet through Cheshire.
- Continued survey and monitoring.
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Progress so far
| 1997 - 2006 Action Completed |
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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.
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A successful landfill tax bid to ICI means this BAP shared in excess of £22.5k through to 2000.
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Due to lack of funds no project officer no work was undertaken during the 2001/2002 winter
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A leaflet was produced in 2001, to raise the profile of white-letter hairstreak and provide practical advice for landowners on elm management.
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Species recording and information card about Elms produced by Vale Royal Borough Council and Cheshire County Council.
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Two new colonies confirmed in Vale Royal in 2003.
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Continued distribution of Elm leaflet through Cheshire in 2003. Funding from MAGNET enabled leaflet to be distributed to all farms in Macclesfield BC.
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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.
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How to find out more about the White-letter Hairstreak
Vale Royal Borough Council Elm Species Recording card
Butterfly Conservation species data - www.butterfly-conservation.org/species/bdata/butterfly.php?code=whh
UK Butterflies - http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?vernacular_name=White-letter%20Hairstreak
Cheshire & Peak District branch of Butterfly Conservation, local information - www.butterfly-conservation.com/species/speciesdetails/ches/whiteletterhairstreak.htm
How can you get involved?
Joan Fairhurst is collating records on mature elm trees in Cheshire. It is becoming clear that some trees have survived the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease, the Wych Elm in particular. Elm trees are important for the survival of the White Letter Hairstreak. If you know of any elms then please send a grid reference and description to Joan by phoning 01829 751954 or email Joan.
Contact details
| LBAP Chair |
Paul Hill, Lepidoptera & Odonata LBAP Action Group
Phone: 0871 734 0111 |
References & Glossary
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
