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British large Blue butterfly colln. 1865
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British large Blue butterfly colln. 1865
Male Large Blue butterfly, Maculinea eutryphon, collected in 1865. It is here surrounded by other extant UK blue butterfly species. The large Blue was first recorded as a British species in 1795 and went extinct in the UK in 1979. This was mainly due to over-collection and loss of habitat. The last locality being Dartmoor in Devon. The Large blue was reintroduced to the UK using a close relative from Sweden, M. arion. Numbers reached over 10, 000 flying by 2006. Larvae spend time underground as brood parasites on the grubs of the red ant, Myrmica sabuleti. Loss of these ants habitat ultimately resulted in the extinction of this subspecies (partly because protected sites were left ungrazed, which did not favour this warmth-loving ant). Successful reintroduction has focused on the ants as well as the butterflies, and follows the observations of entomologist Jeremy Thomas
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Media ID 6317757
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
Butter Fly Cabinet Collection Entomologist Extinct Extinction Museum Re Introduction Subspecies Arion
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a collection of British large Blue butterflies from 1865, including the male Large Blue butterfly (Maculinea eutryphon). Surrounded by other extant UK blue butterfly species, this magnificent creature represents both the beauty and fragility of our natural world. Once recorded as a British species in 1795, the Large Blue sadly became extinct in the UK in 1979. Over-collection and habitat loss were major contributors to its demise, with Dartmoor in Devon being its last known locality. However, thanks to conservation efforts and scientific intervention, this stunning butterfly was reintroduced to the UK using a close relative from Sweden called M. arion. The successful reintroduction program has seen numbers soar to over 10,000 flying individuals by 2006. A crucial aspect of this endeavor involved focusing not only on the butterflies but also on their brood parasites - the grubs of red ants (Myrmica sabuleti). The loss of these ants' habitat played a significant role in driving this subspecies towards extinction. Entomologist Jeremy Thomas's observations have guided these conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of preserving both butterflies and their associated ecosystems. This remarkable photograph serves as a reminder that through dedication and scientific knowledge, we can reverse some of the damage caused by human activities and restore balance to our delicate natural world.
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