The extinct British Nymphalis polychloros
Sept 14, 2015 9:17:41 GMT
trehopr1 and caradecesar like this
Post by nomad on Sept 14, 2015 9:17:41 GMT
The Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros became extinct in the U.K in the latter part of the 1950s, although there have been a few recent sightings, notably in the Isle of Wight on the southern coast of England. These are probably a few immigrants or perhaps released continental butterflies. When N.polychloros was a resident species, its numbers always used to fluctuate, in some localities it was common, only to decline then reappear again. In Britain, it was mainly a butterfly of well wooded districts. The reasons for it disappearance are unknown. It just slipped away without anybody really taking much notice, they were no ecological studies in those days. Various reasons for its dramatic disappearance have been put forward such as habitat change, climatic conditions and larvae parasites or perhaps a combination of these. It was gone before Dutch Elm disease saw the destruction of its foodplant, the elm in the U.K during 1970s. There seems to be little difference between the old British race and those found in the rest of Europe.
Here is a nice drawer of historical British specimens from various English localities. The specimen data here is a valuable study resource. We can see in which years it was found and where it occurred. Also museum specimens are becoming a super study resource to track climate change.
Here is a nice drawer of historical British specimens from various English localities. The specimen data here is a valuable study resource. We can see in which years it was found and where it occurred. Also museum specimens are becoming a super study resource to track climate change.
