May 2004

Will the Alcon Blue make it to 2020?

Michiel Wallis de Vries

In 2003, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture launched a conservation programme to halt the decline of the Alcon Blue (Maculinea alcon). At present, there are ninety-one colonies left in the Netherlands, most of which number just a few dozen butterflies; a survey has shown that numbers are decreasing annually. The key issues of the conservation programme are communication, advice, implementation and monitoring. It will be coordinated by the Dutch Butterfly Foundation. In order to inform all parties concerned, as well as the general public, about the ecology of the endangered species, an Alcon Blue website has been started. It also has information on management, and news about the progress of the programme.

Butterflies in Kopacki rit

Erwin Reinstra

During a practical training period in Croatia in the spring of 2003, the author made a survey of the flora and fauna in Kopacki rit National Park. The flood plains in this area are characterized by various woodlands and marshes, but also by intensive farming. The habitat therefore varies from small-scale landscapes with well-structured vegetation to vast stretches of monotonous vegetation. Observations of the butterfly fauna in Kopacki rit led to fifty-six butterfly species being recorded, seven of which are on the Croatian Red List. There were large numbers of common butterflies like the Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) and Freyer's Purple Emperor (Apatura metis), but also interesting, rarer species, such as the Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) and Large Blue (Maculinea arion). Although Kopacki rit is a nature reserve, the flora and fauna, butterflies included, are still at risk.

How difficult are the whites?

Jaap Bouwman & Dick Groenendijk

Six whites resident in the Netherlands are described, three common species, the Large White (Pieris brassicae), the Small White (Pieris rapae) and the Green-veined White (Pieris napi), and rare whites which may be mistaken for them. These are the Bath White (Pontia daplidice), the Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) and the Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi).

Utrecht-Holland grassland region: more than just fields and cows

Cees Witkamp

In the western part of the Netherlands, in the triangle between Rotterdam, Utrecht and Tiel, the countryside is characterized by wet grasslands intersected by many rivers and waterways. Despite its monotonous and therefore unpromising appearance, this habitat of green fields and peat marshland has many interesting butterfly and dragonfly species. The Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) is found in large numbers. Other noteworthy butterfly species are the Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and, not to forget, the Small
Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene), which was reintroduced in 1993. The dragonfly species most characteristic for this region are also mentioned.