Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Over the last 3 years Butterfly Conservation have been trying tofind out more about the small pearl-bordered fritillary (SPBF) butterfly across the county, where ithad apparently declined by around 60% in last decade, probably due to some extent to a fall off in recording. Group outings in 2005 and 2006 were not reallysuccessful in finding the species, but there are still plenty of areas that would be worth surveying.

This year SPBF has been recorded at Pen-y-Graig Goch Farm (Llandeuddsant), the Plantlife Reserve near Lampeter, Pembrey Forest and Llansteffan.

Although at the end of their season, if the weather stays reasonable, marsh violet sites (their food plant) are likely to be supporting adults for a while, depending on location (higher altitude and further north later). If you fancy keeping a look out, these areas could be targeted:

BCMeidrim, Felindre; Llansaint;Drefach-Felindre, Cwmduad; Burry Port, Kidwelly, Pontyates; Cwmffrywd, Llangynderyn, Crwbin;Llangennech, Hendy, Llannon;Brechfa, Abergorlech; Talley, Llansawel; Esgairdawe, Ffarmers.

Look out for wet flushed marshy grassland or unimproved wet valley bottoms and bogs. YOU WILL NEED to seek relevant access permissions (unless footpath or access land). Send you records to Richard Smith who is organising the survey: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

White-letter hairstreak survey

Another uncommon species that is being surveyed for this summer in Carmarthenshire is the white-letter hairstreak. This small butterfly lives in the tops of elmtrees throughout England and Wales, but is often overlooked. It has anerratic, spiralling flight typical of the hairstreaks. It is distinguished by a strongly defined white 'W' mark across the undersides. The dark uppersidesare seen only in flight as the butterflies always settle with their wings closed. Adults are difficult to see because they spend so much time in the tree canopy, although they occasionally come toground level to nectar on flowers near elm trees or scrub saplings.

The species declined during the 1970s when its foodplantswere reduced by Dutch Elm Disease, but it seems now to be recovering in some areas. In Carmarthenshire the Tywivalley seems to be a favoured area as there are good numbers of elms here. However elms occur elsewhere in the county and there is much more surveyrequired to find out more about the butterfly in the county.

The following website has information about the butterfly and some interesting articles about the butterfly in Carmarthenshire, andhow to survey for it. Again please contact Richard Smith for more information about the survey in Carmarthenshire.

www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/w-album/w-album_notes-VC44.php