How much care does a shrub-feeding hairstreak butterfly, Satyrium spini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), need in calcareous grasslands?

Many butterfly target species are associated with early successional stages of grasslands. The Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775), is a target species of grasslands. However, it feeds on Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), which is associated with late successional stages of grasslands. The aim of this study was to determine the oviposition preference of S. spini in calcareous grasslands, and to give management recommendations to promote this species. Therefore, researchers studied the oviposition microhabitats of S. spini at three representative patches of the Diemel Valley (Central Germany) by comparing environmental conditions on occupied and control host plants. The study showed that S. spini is a species characteristic of mid-successional stages of calcareous grasslands. The survival of suitable habitats for S. spini depends on regular management. To achieve this researchers recommend traditional rough grazing with sheep and goats, which creates open grasslands with small Rhamnus plants. In addition, the shrubs in tall hedges bordering calcareous grasslands should be subjected to cutting on a rotating basis.