Fig 1. The Purple Hairstreak, a secretive but probably widespread of woodland fritillaries
butterfly in the Forest; the larvae feed on Oak (MH) (particularly the Silver-
washed) and the Purple
Emperor up to the 1940s has
also suffered a decline in
species and numbers (Tubbs.
1986). The reasons for the
decline are unclear. Many
species of butterfly seem to
undergo aperiodic contraction
or expansion of range
(perhaps prompted by
climatic changes). Examples
include the Comma and
Speckled Wood in Essex.
Henry Doubleday, the Epping
entomologist, recorded the
Comma as occurring in
profusion in his boyhood, but
it had disappeared by about
1820 not to be seen in the
county again for over a
hundred years. Today it is one
of the most frequently
reported Nymphalids in the
Forest.
For many butterflies.
southern and eastern England has changed dramatically in the last hundred years for two main reasons:
1) the destruction of habitats - the grubbing up of the hedgerows, the destruction of a third of our
ancient woodland and most of our meadows and pastures (probably well over 95% in Essex); and 2)
the lack of management of surviving habitats. With the destruction of habitat we are losing not only
potential breeding and feeding sites for butterflies, but radically altering the habitat mosaic making it
increasingly difficult for populations of butterflies to colonise new areas should their original site
become unsuitable. This is difficult enough for strong fliers such as the large fritillaries, but probably
nearly impossible for weak-flying species with sedentary colonies such as the Marsh Fritillary or some
of the hairstreaks. The woodland fritillaries, those lovely tawny and black insects with silvered
undersides are now (apart from one re-introduced species) extinct as breeding species in Essex. At
the end of the 19th century the Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries were common, at
least in Monk Wood in Epping Forest, and Fitch (1891) stated they were common in woods throughout
Essex. One probable contributory factor towards this notable decline has been the virtual cessation of the
traditional management of coppiced woodland. The woodland fritillaries feed on violets, particularly Dog
Violet (Viola canina), and the dense shade cast by uncut coppice is not conducive to the growth of these
plants. Without violets for larvae to feed on and few nectar-bearing plants for adults, the woodlands
become unable to maintain viable populations of these species.
The management of wood-pastures can also be problematical for butterflies. Tubbs (1986) suggests
that a contributory factor towards the decline of many formerly common butterflies in the Inclosures
in the New Forest is due to the opening up of these areas to livestock in 1969, the animals grazing
and browsing to the extent that little remained for butterflies (as adults and larvae) to feed on. The
New Forest, it seems, currently suffers from excessive grazing, whilst Epping suffers from too little.
Climate, too, has its part to play in the survival of our butterflies. A succession of cool, wet summers
is anathema to most species. The last three hot summers (1989-91) have been good for butterflies of
all species. It may be that a succession of hot summers is necessary for butterflies, whose range
contracts and expands, to become established in a particular locality: a point worth bearing in mind
if contemplating the re-introduction of a species to a particular site. Numbers of a particular butterfly
species are never constant at a particular site. William Cole, writing in Buxton's Epping Forest (1911)
stated that, '... quite thirty-four species of butterfly may be expected to gladden the eyes of the
observant rambler in and around the forest in this year of grace 1897 ... A few butterflies such as the
two silver-spotted Fritillaries (Argynnis selene and euphrosyne) the Large Tortoiseshell (Vanessa