HC Deb 07 May 1985 vol 78 cc307-8W
Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those species of butterflies found in the United Kingdom which the Nature Conservancy Council regards as having significantly or substantially declined or as threatened or endangered.

Mr. Waldegrave

I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that out of a total British list of 55 resident breeding species, one—the large blue—became extinct in 1979, 10 more are regarded as vulnerable or endangered, and 13 have declined in numbers and become less widespread since 1960 because of contraction of their habitats. The species affected are as follows:

Butterfly species State of species
Adonis Blue vulnerable
Brown Hairstreak declining
Chalkhill Blue declining
Chequered Skipper declining
Dark Green Fritillary declining
Dingy Skipper declining
Duke of Burgundy vulnerable
Grayling declining

Butterfly species State of species
Grizzled Skipper declining
Heath Fritillary vulnerable
High Brown Fritillary vulnerable
Large Blue extinct
Large Tortoiseshell endangered
Marbled White declining
Marsh Fritillary vulnerable
Pearl-bordered Fritillary declining
Purple Emperor declining
Silver-spotted Skipper vulnerable
Silver-studded Blue vulnerable
Silver-washed Fritillary declining
Small Blue declining
Small Pearl-bordered declining
White-letter Hairstreak vulnerable
Wood White vulnerable