A small butterfly with a northern distribution being found in northern England and the eastern half of Scotland. The adults have a distinctive small white dot on the centre of their brown upperwings. They are associated sheltered, flowery grasslands, usually on sunny slopes with thin soils. The caterpillars feed solely on Common Rock-rose.
Action Needed
- Appropriate and targeted agri-environment schemes which support and encourage effective management.
- A Northern Brown Argus threat layer in the Land Information Service GIS map to flag up the presence of Northern Brown Argus presence and habitat at an early stage in planning of afforestation schemes.
- Targeted conservation action focused in the Scottish Border’s core range
Threats
- Afforestation of the species-rich grasslands on which they depend.
- Overgrazing due to agricultural intensification and increased deer populations.
- Agricultural abandonment leading to the loss of grazing and development of unsuitable rank grassland and scrub.
MSP Nature Champion
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