Species Account for Lasiommata megera
Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767)
Wall
Lepidoptera: butterflies: Satyridae
Reproduction for study and non-profit use permitted, all other rights reserved.
Taxonomic group: butterflies (Lepidoptera: butterflies) - County data
View time series maps for Lasiommata megera
member log-on for taxon report
Status: NT;Section 41 Priority Species
Essex RDB: Listed
Images
upload a new image
Wall on UK Butterflies website
Essex Red Data List comment
added to list due to 'Near Threatened' national conservation status (2010 review, Butterfly Conservation) and massive decline in distribution in the county
Species text
Historically, this species is subject to large fluctuations in abundance. Its current situation in the county (2011) appears perilous, being restricted mainly to coastal sites, occasional singles being found up to a few miles inland. The most recent records from the north of the county come from the large nature reserves either side of the Colne estuary, but sightings are rare. The Wall now seems absent from the Dengie sea wall but sightings still occur further west along the Crouch and it is probably under-recorded towards Foulness. Its stronghold is Canvey Island and the post-industrial sites along the Thames centred around Tilbury extending as far west as Rainham Marshes. Butterfly Conservation evidence in the region points to climate change producing a shift in phenology, producing a (partial) 3-brooded life-cycle along the Thames whilst a generally 2-brooded phenology remains in the Cambridgeshire Fens and in Northern England. Small, isolated colonies inland have therefore declined, being consistently 'caught' between broods and being exposed to high winter mortality, not having the dual hibernation outlet of the Speckled Wood, a close cousin with a corresponding upward trend. Hope comes from the South Coast counties, where some gains have been made inland in the last 2 years. But in Essex at present, only large or well-connected primary habitats seem capable of holding small, viable colonies. (Butterfly Conservation, Cambridgeshire & Essex branch Newsletters 2009 & 2011: Rob Smith & Louise Bacon) References
Habitats
Recorded management for locations with Lasiommata megera
Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Lasiommata megera
Why not join the Club, register and add a new species page
Interpretation of distribution maps