Large heath  (Coenonympha tullia)

Large heath

Facts

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae
Genus Coenonympha (1)
Size Wingspan: 3 - 4 cm (1)
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Status

Listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with respect to sale only (3).

Description

Adult large heath butterflies always have their wings closed when at rest; males are smoky orange-brown in colour, and females are paler (1). Both sexes have pale brown undersides featuring a creamy white band and a number of eyespots (1). The green caterpillar is around 2.5 cm in length and has two white bands along its sides (2).

Range

Found in Europe, Asia, Canada and western USA, the species has undergone serious declines throughout much of Europe. In Britain, it is largely restricted to Scotland and the far north of England with a few small populations persisting in central and eastern England (3) and north Wales (4).

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Habitat

Inhabits wet, boggy habitats such as lowland raised bogs, upland blanket bogs and damp acidic moorland where the main foodplant, hare's tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) occurs (3). Abundant sources of the most important adult nectar source, cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) are also essential (3).

Biology

The flight period occurs between mid-June and early August. The species is single brooded; eggs are laid singly at the base of the foodplant on dead stems. The larvae hibernate when still small, and emerge in March to complete their development (3). Pupae develop towards the end of April or early May and are attached to stems. Adults emerge around a month later (2).

Threats

Huge losses of suitable habitat have occurred throughout Europe as a result of large-scale drainage works, commercial forestry plantations and peat extraction. Inappropriate habitat management, such as overgrazing, may be degrading once suitable habitat and causing losses (3).

Conservation

Lowland raised bogs and blanket bogs are listed under the EC Habitats Directive, and peatland habitats have been the focus of a number of conservation campaigns. Despite this, peat is still extracted for use in gardens and in horticulture. As large populations of species are more resistant to local extinctions, it is important that large areas of remaining habitats must be conserved and suitable management practices encouraged. Homeowners can help by choosing to use peat-free alternatives in their gardens (3).

Further Information

For more on this species see Butterfly Conservation's Species Action Plan:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/species/action_plans/large_heath/index.shtml
For more on UK butterflies and their conservation see:
Butterfly Conservation:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/
and The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Asher, Warren, Fox, Harding, Jeffcoate, and Jeffcoate. (2001). Oxford University Press, Oxford

Authentication

Information authenticated by Butterfly Conservation:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/

Glossary

Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
Larvae: stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Pupae: stage in an insect's development when huge changes occur, which reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
Single brooded : (also known as 'univoltine'). Insect life cycle that takes 12 months to be complete, and involves a single generation. The egg, larva, pupa or adult over winters as a dormant stage.

References

  1. Still, J. (1996) Collins Wild Guide: Butterflies and moths of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publishers, London.
  2. Carter, D. J. and Hargreaves, B. (1986) A Field Guide to Caterpillars of Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Collins, London.
  3. Asher, J., Warren, M., Fox, R., Harding, P., Jeffcoate, G., & Jeffcoate, S. (2001) The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. Bourn, N. A. D. and Warren, M. S. (1997) Species Action Plan: Large Heath Coenonympha tullia. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham
    http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/species/action_plans/large_heath/index.shtml