Heteropterus morpheus has always been a very rare species in the Netherlands, being seldom seen during the first half of the 20th century; it is still considered a very rare resident. However, at present, the species is expanding in the Peel, an area with peat bog southeast of Eindhoven, in the province of Brabant. Formerly, there were populations in three different types of habitat, moist woodland, damp heathland and peat bog. In the Peel, it occurs in several sites on damp to wet, rough, grassy, nutrient-poor vegetation that is often flooded in winter; it mostly uses the grasses Calamagrostis canescens and Molinia caerulea as larval foodplant. The present dehydration of this area means that the peat is getting oxidised, favouring the growth of the rough vegetation on which the species depends. However, with continuing desiccation, the habitat will become too dry, and the species will eventually disappear. It is classified as 'endangered' on the 2006 Red List. Measures should be taken to prevent the present habitat from further desiccation. Furthermore, occasional small-scale cutting of the rough vegetation can prevent the habitat from getting overgrown by trees and shrubs.

Bron

Auteur(s)

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

Publicatie

• Bos, F., M. Bosveld, D. Groenendijk, C. van Swaay & I. Wynhoff 2006. De dagvlinders van Nederland, verspreiding en bescherming. Nederlandse Fauna 7. De Vlinderstichting, Wageningen en Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, European Invertebrate Survey, Nederland.