Page 1 of 1
Breeding butterflies from the conservation list
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:22 pm
by vawn
I have found a site where you can get eggs, larva and pupa to breed yourself.
It has in it's lists several butterflies with BAPs'.
I also saw on telly today a man who is realeasing Fritillary he has bred in the Tamar valley.
I am now looking for reasons not to breed them myself and I can't think of any.
http://www.wwb.co.uk/shop/product_info. ... ts_id=5194
Re: Breeding butterflies from the conservation list
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:30 pm
by Pete Eeles
vawn wrote:I am now looking for reasons not to breed them myself and I can't think of any.
Here are some reasons (I'll stop at 5!):
1. What is the origin of the stock being sold? Is the stock actually British?
2. Has the stock gene pool been weakened by excessive interbreeding?
3. Is the stock guaranteed to be disease free?
4. Do you have the skills to rear the species, given that many species have very specific requirements?
5. Do you have specific sites targeted where you can legally release the adults?
Cheers,
- Pete
Re: Breeding butterflies from the conservation list
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:46 pm
by Padfield
Don't even think about it, Vawn.
Butterflies are perfectly capable of breeding all by themselves.
Plebejus species are sedentary and locally extremely diverse, to the extent that there is active speciation occurring as I write! You couldn't possibly release silver-studded blues of unknown genetic origin - so you'd have to kill all your stock.
The only threat to SSB in England is habitat destruction - breeding them won't help.
Guy
Re: Breeding butterflies from the conservation list
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:51 pm
by vawn
Pete Eeles wrote:vawn wrote:I am now looking for reasons not to breed them myself and I can't think of any.
Here are some reasons (I'll stop at 5!):
1. What is the origin of the stock being sold? Is the stock actually British?
2. Has the stock gene pool been weakened by excessive interbreeding?
3. Is the stock guaranteed to be disease free?
4. Do you have the skills to rear the species, given that many species have very specific requirements?
5. Do you have specific sites targeted where you can legally release the adults?
Cheers,
- Pete
1. the stock are all CB (captive bred) and I would only select British genii
2. there are guarantees...
3. ... that they are also disease free
4. I rear many other exotic creatures, I have all the equipment necessary
5. I would raise area specific only, ie this or that species that are in decline say in my own home town and would be able to, therefore, guarantee that would have the right food plants etc and that they would not end up being evasive or to those who can release this or that species in an area where they are in decline, I would be able to provide them with ...
still sounds like a plan to me
Re: Breeding butterflies from the conservation list
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:54 pm
by vawn
padfield wrote:Don't even think about it, Vawn.
Butterflies are perfectly capable of breeding all by themselves.
Plebejus species are sedentary and locally extremely diverse, to the extent that there is active speciation occurring as I write! You couldn't possibly release silver-studded blues of unknown genetic origin - so you'd have to kill all your stock.
The only threat to SSB in England is habitat destruction - breeding them won't help.
Guy
I wouldn't personally rear SSBs' that was just an example
how about...
http://www.wwb.co.uk/shop/advanced_sear ... al&x=0&y=0
though I would not choose this sp either, again, it would be something specific to an area I could successfully release in