Protecting the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly

Volunteers have been planting seedlings and spreading seeds on a farm near Llyn Llech Owain Country Park to protect a rare butterfly.

The volunteers from Mencap and Friends of Llyn Llech Owain helped to plant out Devil’s bit scabious seedlings and spread seeds on a field which is being managed as habitat for the rare Marsh fritillary butterfly. The plant is the only larval food plant of the butterfly, and increasing its abundance in the field will provide an important source of food for the caterpillars next spring.

The Caeau Mynydd Mawr Project, run by Carmarthenshire County Council, is helping to offset the pressures of development in the Cross Hands area on the rare Marsh fritillary butterfly by creating a network of good habitat. It is funded through contributions from developments in the area.

“Working with local people is a really important part of the project, and the group did a brilliant job”, says Amanda Evans, Caeau Mynydd Mawr Project Officer.

Mencap volunteers meet regularly at Llyn Llech Owain Country Park and the group gets a huge amount of benefit from assisting with tasks at the park. The Friends of Llyn Llech Owain also provide invaluable help to the rangers Judith Weatherburn and Simon Morris with conservation work at the park.