Hopes rise for return of Duke to historic butterfly haunts

One of Yorkshire’s rarest butterflies is being lured back to a former haunt.

The Forestry Commission has linked up with Butterfly Conservation to seduce the striking yellow-and-brown-flecked Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) which survives at only a handful of places in the North.

Until recently one of these was Pexton Bank in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, but there have been no sightings for the past five years.

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Now, efforts have begun to encourage the colourful creature to return.

Work to improve the habitat has just been completed – supported by WREN, the conservation arm of a landfill company working with Butterfly Conservation.

This has already involved felling trees and cutting back over-grown scrub, which may have left some of the flowers that the butterfly relies on in the shade and failing to thrive.

Cowslips and primroses are particularly important as the Duke lays its eggs on the undersides of their leaves, which also provide food for larvae.

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District forester Paul Cody said: “This is a rare species and for many years the jewel in the crown of Pexton Bank, which is an outstanding place for butterflies with over 20 recorded species.

“But when wildlife becomes isolated and fragmented it is always vulnerable. That’s why it is important we continue our push to improve the environment and link habitats together.

“We’ve got our fingers’ crossed that the Duke makes a regal return.”

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