Warm Weather Produces Second Wave of Butterflies
Warming Climate Generates Second Brood of Duke of Burgundy
Aug 25, 2009
After it was spotted at Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire, UK, the declining Duke of Burgundy butterfly has been able to produce a second brood for the third time in more than a century.
Since 1893, there have been no records of a second brood of the Duke of Burgundy in the UK, until the last four years. Recorded in the summer of 2005 in Selbourne, Hampshire, UK and again at the same site in 2007, Mr Oates, the National Trust’s conservation advisor told the Telegraph on the 19th of August that ‘’the flight season for the Duke of Burgundy has gradually been getting earlier every year.’’
Mr Oates continued by saying ‘’this means that it’s becoming increasingly likely that we’ll see more second broods in the coming years as our climate gradually gets warmer, providing conservation efforts to keep this little gem in the UK are successful.’’
A Rise in the Declining Duke of Burgundy Butterfly
As one of the most rapidly declining butterflies in the UK, the Duke of Burgundy has seen a 60 per cent fall in the last 20 years, sparking concern among National Trust officials who monitor these species.
However, even though figures have risen due to the species surviving in areas which were not well-grazed and benefited from the impact of myxomatosis on rabbits, a severe viral disease that destroyed the wild rabbit population when it arrived in Britain 50 years ago, figures have also declined once the rabbits bounced back.
As a result, Mr Oates has stated that Rodborough Common is managed with conservation grazing which produces long and short grass habitats for different species. Mr Oates told the Telegraph that three or four butterflies had been spotted, a very small second brood, but that colonies tended to be small nowadays.
An Extremely Rare Species in the UK
The UK only sees about one generation of the Duke of Burgundy each year, whereas in more southern areas of Europe, the butterfly generally produces a second brood in late summer.
Mr Oates said to the Telegraph ‘’this is a really significant moment for one of the Duke of Burgundy strongholds. Second broods for this splendid butterfly are fairly common in southern Europe, but extremely rare in the UK.’’
However, with an increased likelihood of a second brood later in the year, managing sites for the Duke of Burgundy butterfly could be more difficult. Mr Oates went on to say ‘’its conservation needs are difficult enough as it is, if it started regularly producing second broods it would complicate its conservation requirements.’’
Which would also create unexpected problems in the natural world. The Duke of Burgundy may be a small butterfly, but it’s also known as a ‘little spitfire’. Armed with strong territorial males, these butterflies will fly at anything that enters their airspace.
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