Context
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) can be notified if
they include qualifying features under the butterfly criteria
outlined in section 2 of Chapter 18 'Butterflies' of
the Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs. In
Northern Ireland, ASSIs are selected on a very similar basis – the
Guidelines
for the Selection of Biological ASSIs in Northern Ireland is an
addendum to the SSSI guidelines rather than an alternative.
The criteria include: nationally rare species, endemic races,
nationally scarce species, and species which have experienced
substantial local declines.
Sites can be notified
for species listed in the SSSI guidelines, including
for:
- the re-establishment or introduction of species extinct in
Great Britain e.g. large blue Maculinea arion and large
copper Lycaena dispar;
- Red Data Book endangered species e.g. large tortoiseshell
Nymphalis polychloros;
- vulnerable species e.g. heath fritillary Melitaea
athalia, high brown fritillary Argynnis adippe and
swallowtail Papilio machaon; and
- rare species, e.g. Glanville fritillary Melitaea
cinxia and silver-spotted skipper Hesperia
comma.
Endemic races which qualify are
grayling Hipparchia semele thyone and silver-studded blue
Plebejus argus caernensis, as well as nationally
scarce species (those which currently occupy 16-100 10km squares),
such as adonis blue Polyommatus bellargus and purple
emperor Apatura iris. 15 other species merit
consideration for site notification in regions where substantial
declines have taken place, but wherever possible, site notification
should be made where colonies of some nationally rare and scarce
species are also present.
The sole UK butterfly species listed
on Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive which qualifies as a
feature for the selection of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
is the Marsh fritillary Euphydryas (Eurodryas,
Hypodryas) aurinia.