Current status
The silver-spotted skipper is widespread in central and southern Europe. In the UK it formerly occurred as far north as Yorkshire, and west to Devon, but underwent a rapid decline in the 1950s and, by 1982, was reduced to 49 localities in 10 area. In 1980 it was confined to southern chalk downland grassland in southern England representing a decline in range of at least 89%. However, it has recently expanded its range a little, with a 30% increase in the North and South Downs since 1980.
Small local populations require high immigration from other nearby colonies to be self-sustaining, so networks of sites are essential to the long-term survival of small colonies.
The sliver-spotted skipper is listed as rare in the GB Red List, and is protected under Schedule 5 of the WCA 1982 (in respect of sale only).
Current factors causing loss or decline
Insufficient grazing by stock and rabbits.
Loss of unimproved calcareous grasslands and fragmentation of remaining habitats.
Current action
A full action plan is being prepared by Butterfly Conservation.
Conservation management is being implemented on several nature reserves and SSSIs.
Research on the genetics and metapopulation structure of the species is being conducted by Birmingham University under a NERC grant. Other local studies are being conducted by members of Butterfly Conservation.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations throughout the current range, through conservation of large colonies and/or networks of smaller populations.
Restore populations to the 1970-82 distribution by 2010.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Promote favourable land management on occupied grasslands and those within dispersal range of existing colonies through appropriate schemes (e.g. ESAs, Countryside Stewardship, etc.). (ACTION: CC, NE, MAFF)
Encourage approval of licensing trials of rabbit VHD vaccine in the UK. (ACTION: MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Ensure that at least 20 colonies lie within SSSIs across the current geographical range of species. (ACTION: NE)
Encourage appropriate management of all known sites with large populations, and associated occupied or potential sites, to encourage the formation of networks. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Conduct strategic re-introductions into suitably restored habitat, if beyond the limits of natural spread.
Advisory
Advise site managers on appropriate habitat management, possibly through the production of an advisory guide. (ACTION: NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Define the terms 'large' and 'medium-sized colonies' to assist in prioritising conservation action. (ACTION: NE)
Survey to identify suitable sites for re-introduction. (ACTION: NE)
Investigate rabbit VHD and likely impacts on silver-spotted skipper habitat. (ACTION: NE)
Investigate the suitability of creating new habitats for the species through the restoration of inappropriately managed areas. (ACTION: NE)
Encourage regular monitoring of extant sites, continuing existing transects on known sites, and using the information to identify further threats to the species. (ACTION: NE)
Conduct further research on ideal management regimes (e.g. non-rotational regimes). (ACTION: NE)
Encourage research on the ecology and conservation of this species on an international level and use the information and experience gained towards its conservation in the UK. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: NE)
Communications and Publicity
Promote opportunities for the appreciation and conservation of this butterfly and its habitat, and use the species to illustrate the problems of habitat fragmentation. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Hesperia comma:
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p144)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species