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Some good news about biodiversity
STORIES about our Island biodiversity are not all bad news.
A recent report published by the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society by Garry Curtis shows an increase in the number of butterfly species to be seen on the Island.
Garry, of Manx Butterfly Conservation, believes that the main cause is the increase in trees and woodland on the island in recent times.
These species need woodland habitats for breeding and hibernation.
Climate is also an important factor. Butterflies are important indicators of climate change because the limit of their range is closely linked to temperature.
As the Island is close to the edge of the range of several species it is an ideal location for a study on the effects of climate change on butterfly species. This is why it is important for us to record butterfly sightings, particularly the time of year they are seen and to fill gaps in what we know about their distribution.
The Butterflies for the New Millennium Project has been looking at species change across Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Over this region there
have been substantial changes in the distribution of butterfly species. More than half have declined substantially since 1800.
Five have become extinct and 15 have lost more than 50 per cent of their previous distribution. These losses have accelerated in recent decades. The main cause of the decline is the wholesale and continuing destruction of wildlife habitats for intensive agriculture, forestry and urban development. Perhaps the picture is not so gloomy on the Island but we still need to be vigilant in maintaining our biodiversity.
The photographs show some of the butterflies to look out for in May. Look out for butterflies and have a go at identifying them. Take a photograph if you can.
Please send your butterfly sightings and photographs to Manx Butterfly Conservation (garrycurtis@manx.net) or to me (philippa@manx.net). For a usable record, we need to know the species, date, exact location and your name. The UK Butterflies and Butterfly Conservation websites are a great help to get started on identification.
The following butterflies are numbered:
1. Peacock: a common butterfly, emerging from hibernation in April/May. Photo Sheila Norris
2. Painted lady: an annual migrant that lays its eggs on thistles but these do not survive our winters on the island. Photo Sheila Norris
3. Comma: a new resident breeding species that emerges from hibernation about now – tawny brown and ragged edges. The name comes from a white comma mark on the underside. It has been spreading west from Laxey and Ramsey. Photo John Donnelly
4. Speckled wood: a species that has arrived this decade, mostly seen in Glens on the east coast so far but it is spreading westwards.
5. Holly blue: a female with black wing edges resting on bluebells. First recorded in the 1950s and has recently increased its range. Photo Sheila Norris
6. Red admiral: a summer migrant that might be starting to over-winter on the Island as it does in northern England (but perhaps not last winter). Photo Sheila Norris
'Beishteigyn as Caraigyn' Bugs and beetles
These illustrations are from Stella Thrower's book 'Manx Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies an illustrated guide to their identification', published by the Manx Heritage Foundation last year and available in local bookshops.
It describes all 19 of our butterfly species and many of the common and widespread beetles and bugs.
The hand-painted illustrations were drawn from specimens from the author's garden in Ballasalla.
The book illustrates 88 species of beetles, bugs and moths, a very small proportion of the total. We do not know the exact number of bug, beetle and moth species on the Island, a great deal more research is needed.
To give you an idea of what biodiversity means: there are thought to be 4,000 species of beetle, 1,630 bugs and 2400 moths and butterflies in the British Isles.
See the insects below:
7. The dark beetle, is – guess what – found in dark places, under stones and in caves and also humanly created habitats in cellars and stables. Active from now until early autumn. On a hot spring day it might be fun to turn a few stones over or climb into a dark crevice and see what else is crawling about (apart from yourself).
8. The seven-spot ladybird is the common one we are all familiar with, but there are 13 other indigenous ladybird species to look out for. There is also an invasive alien species called the Harlequin which has just arrived on the Island.
9. This bug is a knapweed aphid. Its sole food plant is the black knapweed. Unlike the aphids that infest commercial plant species, there is little information about those that live on wild plants. If the host plant becomes extinct, perhaps because its habitat disappears, what happens to the aphid species?
Links: www.butterfly-conservation.org
www.harlequin-survey.org/
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Events in May for International Year of Biodiversity
The Wildlife Park is celebrating International Dawn Chorus Day on Sunday, May 2. Meet at 5am at the park gate. Led by Chris Sharpe of Manx BirdLife. Followed by optional cooked breakfast in the Wildlife Park caf for 6.50. Tel: 897323
Manx Wildlife Trust, for details see http://manxwt.org.uk or Tel: 801985
Sunday May 2, 6am start. A morning of activities at the Ayres Visitor Centre, starting at 6am with a Dawn Chorus walk led by Adam Denard of Manx BirdLife
Monday May 3, 10am-4pm. A series of Biodiversity talks at Ramsey Town Hall.
Manx National Heritage, for details Tel: 648000
Saturday May 8, 8am start. Wildlife walk with breakfast at the Sound Caf. Price 10 including breakfast, booking essential. Leader Kate Hawkins, MNH.
Saturday May 8, 2pm, exploring ancient woodland in Groudle Glen with Andree Dubbledam and Philippa Tomlinson.
Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society see www.manxantiquarians.com
Saturday May 29, all day birding at Langness, led by Adam Denard.
Manx BirdLife Tel: 861130
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
