Current status
The range of the large blue butterfly is declining rapidly in Europe, with less than 10 colonies
surviving in most northern countries. The butterfly once occurred in about 90 colonies in Britain, but declined rapidly in the 1950s and became extinct in 1979. It has since been re-established successfully at five sites in south west England using Swedish stock.
It is listed as a Globally Threatened species by IUCN/WCMC, and is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive. It is protected under Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994 and Schedule 5 of the WCA 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Loss of habitat, combined with lack of grazing or other appropriate management.
Current action
The Joint Committee for the Conservation of the Large Blue Butterfly was formed in 1962.
The butterfly has been re-established at five sites in England under NE`s Species Recovery Programme, after considerable research by ITE.
A full action plan for this species has been published by Butterfly Conservation.
Action plan objectives and targets
Consolidate the five re-established populations in England, aiming to achieve colonies containing 400 to 5,000 adults in each.
Re-establish populations at a further 5 former sites in southern England by 2005.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Ensure the requirements of this species are taken into account when preparing management prescriptions in ESAs and other agri-environment schemes. (ACTION: MAFF, NE)
Site safeguard and management
Encourage the favourable management of relevant SSSIs. (ACTION: NE)
Seek to secure positive management of appropriate areas adjacent to existing colonies to ensure a suitable sward and scrub-free habitat, planting wild thyme from a local source if necessary. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Re-establish a further five populations as suitable sites by 2005. (ACTION: NE)
Arrange low-key wardening to prevent illegal collecting or accidental disturbance, and to help with monitoring. (ACTION: NE)
Advisory
Produce an advisory leaflet on how to manage land for this species, and circulate it to landowners and managers in suitable areas adjacent to target sites. (ACTION: NE)
Ensure the relevant societies and organisations are aware of the legal and ecological implications of collecting this species. (ACTION: NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Compile a priority list of potentially suitable sites for re-establishment. (ACTION: NE)
Encourage regular monitoring of extant sites and seek to identify further threats to the species. (ACTION: NE)
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
Maintain confidentiality about site locations. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Maculinea arion:
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p149)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species