www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

What's the policy on releasing butterflies that have been reared from larvae? I had intended raising some Brown Hairstreak's next year and photographing their lifecycle (minus the egg stage), and then releasing them on a local nature reserve, but then I got to thinking that this could mess up local butterfly survey's (Brown Hairstreak's are not known at this reserve even though the habitat is there). I already ordered 5 Clouded Yellow pupae that could really skew a survey if people start reporting them in Lincolnshire. I'm in a bit of a pickle really as I was really looking forward to it but now I'm not so sure, I'd be grateful for any thoughts and opinions on the issue.

Cheers
Matt

Don't release your Hairstreaks at all, unless you collected the eggs/larvae from a specific location in which case by all means return them once they have developed to the adult stage.

I guess Clouded Yellows aren't quite so problematic, as they practically all have their origins on the Continent and so, like Painted Ladies, can turn up almost anywhere.