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Grote vuurvlinder Lycaena dispar

Foto: Tjitske Lubach

Indeling

Lycaena [genus]
(5 soorten in totaal / 4 gevestigd)
dispar [soort] (2/1)

Lycaena dispar occurs in the Netherlands as the subspecies L. d. batava and is an extremely rare resident. Since its first sighting in 1915, L. dispar has only been found in the north-eastern part of the country. It has been declining since about 1950, and is at present confined to three fenland nature reserves: De Weerribben, De Wieden and De Rottige Meente. These reserves, each of which has an area exceeding 500 hectares, harbour together between 50 and 400 individuals; numbers are difficult to estimate, and moreover, fluctuate from year to year. The species is categorized as 'critically endangered' at the Red List. The species flies from early July until mid-August and hibernates as half-grown caterpillar. The caterpillars are found on Rumex hydrolapathum, which grows in the early stages of the vegetation succession from open water to land. The Netherlands has a special responsibility to safeguard this endemic subspecies; to prevent its extinction, measures should be taken to prevent further loss of water from the fenland into the lower-lying surrounding areas. The microhabitat also needs to be appropriately managed: the vegetation should be kept in the desired stage of succession by cutting the reed in autumn or winter, and further acidification of peatland should be counteracted. Habitat restoration should be attempted in suitable areas to increase the potential habitat area.

 

Bron

Auteur(s)

Swaay, C. van, Wynhoff, I., Groenendijk, D., Bosveld, M., Bos, F.

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