Wednesday 20 Feb 2008 @ 09:49
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
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Butterfly populations flying high at Porton Down
Butterflies are thriving on Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) land at Porton Down despite the floods last summer.
The number and variety of rare species such as the heath butterfly, dingy skippers, marsh fratillaries and grizzled skippers have increased alongside common farmland butterflies.
The population surge is due to a reseeding programme carried out by Dstl where arable field margins were sown with combinations of seeds. Pollen and nectar, grass and flower and, surprisingly, grass only seed mixtures were all shown to be very attractive to butterflies.
A three-year study revealed that in 2005, before reseeding began, 211 butterflies from 14 different species were present on the land. This rose to 6,980 butterflies from 26 different species, after reseeding in the summer of 2006.
In 2007, 1,145 butterflies of 24 different species were recorded, showing a significant increase on 2005 despite very poor conditions during the wet summer months.
Stuart Corbett, conservation officer at Dstl, said: “Excitingly, more rare Biodiversity Action Plan species appeared – dingy skippers and marsh fratillaries in May and grizzled skippers in June. The presence of marsh fratillaries on an arable margin was totally unexpected and led to the discovery of a new population at Porton Down.
For further information, please contact: 01980 617277
Hannah Fletcher, PR Officer, Dstl press@dstl.gov.uk07788 564624
Or Wiltshire Wildlife Trust www.wiltshirewildlife.org
Dstl
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a centre of scientific excellence for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Its 3,500 strong workforce includes some of the nation’s most talented and creative scientists with the brief to ensure that the UK Armed Forces and Government are supported in-house by the very best impartial scientific and technological advice. Dstl’s position at the heart of the MOD means that its advice is trusted by governments, academia, industry and international partners. It offers timely and accurate advice at all levels of military planning and operations, both overseas and on the home front. For more information please visit www.dstl.gov.uk
The number and variety of rare species such as the heath butterfly, dingy skippers, marsh fratillaries and grizzled skippers have increased alongside common farmland butterflies.
The population surge is due to a reseeding programme carried out by Dstl where arable field margins were sown with combinations of seeds. Pollen and nectar, grass and flower and, surprisingly, grass only seed mixtures were all shown to be very attractive to butterflies.
A three-year study revealed that in 2005, before reseeding began, 211 butterflies from 14 different species were present on the land. This rose to 6,980 butterflies from 26 different species, after reseeding in the summer of 2006.
In 2007, 1,145 butterflies of 24 different species were recorded, showing a significant increase on 2005 despite very poor conditions during the wet summer months.
Stuart Corbett, conservation officer at Dstl, said: “Excitingly, more rare Biodiversity Action Plan species appeared – dingy skippers and marsh fratillaries in May and grizzled skippers in June. The presence of marsh fratillaries on an arable margin was totally unexpected and led to the discovery of a new population at Porton Down.
For further information, please contact: 01980 617277
Hannah Fletcher, PR Officer, Dstl press@dstl.gov.uk07788 564624
Or Wiltshire Wildlife Trust www.wiltshirewildlife.org
Notes to editors,
Dstl
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a centre of scientific excellence for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Its 3,500 strong workforce includes some of the nation’s most talented and creative scientists with the brief to ensure that the UK Armed Forces and Government are supported in-house by the very best impartial scientific and technological advice. Dstl’s position at the heart of the MOD means that its advice is trusted by governments, academia, industry and international partners. It offers timely and accurate advice at all levels of military planning and operations, both overseas and on the home front. For more information please visit www.dstl.gov.uk
