Current Status
The small pearl-bordered fritillary is relatively widespread in the north and west of the UK, but this attractive butterfly has declined markedly in central and eastern England, where a loss of 41% of colonies was estimated in the 1980s. It has also probably declined in most of eastern Scotland during the last 50 years.
In Scotland, the preferred habitats are flushed rushy-grassland and wet rides or glades within or at the edges of woodland, and moorland edge. The larvae feed at night on the leaves of violets, particularly marsh violet that typically grows on the margins of raised bogs or in wet flushes on acid soils. The adults appear from mid-June until late July, when they often settle to feed on marsh thistles. They rarely wander far from the breeding habitats.
There are small populations of the small pearl-bordered fritillary scattered over a wide area of North Lanarkshire, from the Kilsyth Hills to the West Lothian border near Harthill. There appear to be concentrations around Croy Hill and Dullatur, to the south of Cumbernauld and in the Caldercruix-Hillend Reservoir area, where there are more extensive patches of the preferred habitats. Small numbers still occur in, or close to the three country parks (Strathclyde, Drumpellier and Palacerigg).
The situation in North Lanarkshire may also have been one of decline. The local population probably numbers only a few hundreds and there may only be single figures of adults surviving in many of the known 25 colonies. However, it is thought that further colonies remain to be discovered. Survey and monitoring has been irregular, mainly because of the insect's relatively short flight period and the localised habitat requirements.
The small pearl-bordered fritillary is listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, protected against sale only. It is afforded a medium priority for conservation action in the Butterfly Conservation's Regional Action Plan for South West Scotland.
Current factors causing loss or decline
The main threats to this species are loss of breeding habitat from drainage or afforestation, persistent burning of grassland and bogs, and on some sites, scrub regeneration (of birth and willow). Built development, mining and quarrying have also eliminated or affected North Lanarkshire sites, one of which is between a busy motorway and an A class road.
Current Action
Efforts have been made by Council countryside staff since the early 1990s to record building sites and adult numbers within the Country Parks and other locations. Some effort has also been made to ensure the protection of suitable habitat within the development planning process and the Woodland Grant Scheme consultation arrangements. Several new colonies have been located since 1996 following associated site visits.
Action plan objectives and targets
Establish the extent of existing colonies, and their population size
-
Prevent further loss of habitat by agreeing appropriate management with owners
-
Identify new breeding colonies on suitable habitats
-
Raise public awareness and involvement in recording the species
Links with other action plans
Broad-leaved and mixed woodland, Raised and intermediate bogs, rivers and streams.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Include all significant populations (over five butterflies) in SINCs (NLC)
Site safeguard and management
Enter into simple management agreements with owners of sites from where the butterfly is known, particularly where protection of breeding wetlands may be achieved through rural stewardship schemes (LNC, BC, SEERAD, private owners)
Press for appropriate mitigation on sites where development or land-use change threatens the species (BC, CSCT, FC, NLC, SWT, private owners)
Enter into agreement with management at Dullatur Golf Club and Tarmac (Croy Hill) to ensure no further loss of habitat in this area, by 2002 (NLC, SNH, SGCWG, owners)
Apply appropriate management prescriptions on areas adjoining the sites to be managed within Glasgow City, i.e. Garnkirk Moss and Gartcosh Road Mire and Drumpellier Country Park (GCC, NLC, SNH, private owner)
Species management and protection
Ensure that land management (grazing rates, drainage of habitat, tree-planting) do not cause serious deterioration to breeding sites in the Garrieston, Hillend and Lilly Loch area (CSCT, FWAG, private owners, SEERAD)
Investigate the feasibility of reintroducing the butterfly at sites where it has become extinct, if sufficient suitable habitat exists or can be restored; i.e. Broadwood Loch, Shotts Nature Park, by 2004 (NLC, BC, CSCT)
Advisory
Advise conservation agencies and site owners and managers on practical management for the small pearl-bordered fritillary and how to incorporate this in other prescriptions, by 2003 (BC, CSCT, FWAG, SNH, env. consultants)
Advise on habitat creation or restoration techniques on former and potential sites by 2002 (BC, CSCT, SEL, SNH, env. Consultants).
Future research and monitoring
Set up at least three transect sites, centres on known populations, to be regularly monitored from 2001 (BC, NLC, SWT)
Encourage FE and CSCT to survey any suitable habitats within plantations in their ownership or management, by 2002 (FE, CSCT)
Compile lists of food and nectar-source plants used by the butterfly at five sites, by 2003 (NLC, SWT)
Communication and publicity
Produce a leaflet highlighting the small pearl-bordered fritillary in Lanarkshire, possibly in association with Glasgow City Council and South Lanarkshire Council, by 2002.
Links with other action plans
Broad-leaved and mixed woodland, raised and intermediate bogs, rivers and streams.
Abbreviations
Search NorthWeb
