Introduction of Black Hairstreak

Nigel venters at iinteralpha.co.uk
Mon Apr 5 07:44:39 EDT 1999



Quino15 at aol.com wrote in article <4537ceea.2439355a at aol.com>...

> The question I would ask Nigel is whether the black hairstreak was or is 
> native to the area.  The problems with introductions are numerous: gypsy 
> moth, African honey bee, etc etc etc.  So, I think I have to agree with
Neil 
> in that introductions need to be completely studied before they are 
> attempted.   

The Black Hairstreak is one of UKs rarest/restricted butterflies, It is
also found in isolated pockets throughout Europe to Asia as far East as
Korea. It is a UK resident! I'm not advocating introducing foreign species,
just re-introducing endemic species to habitats that are now suitable for
them to inhabit. 

Neil's "study" was nothing to do with the danger of these becoming a pest,
far more to do with understanding the environmental conditions (And
adapting them) to give (UK resident) re-introduced species a chance, and
there is a lot to be said for this, as many introductions fail. My main
point is it doesn't hurt to give it a go first, if you fail (which is
likely) you then need to do much more study to ensure success.

I don't think we are talking in the same league as African honey bee or
Gipsy moth here!
(By the way did you know the Gipsy moth used to be a UK resident? It became
extict here without any effort by man to help it on it's way! It's a funny
old World isn't it?)
Nigel


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