- Habitat loss through scrub encroachment
- Overgrazing – inappropriate grazing regimes at managed sites and grazing from rabbits can lead to removing flower heads of kidney vetch.
- Habitat fragmentation and isolation of colonies.
- Development pressure on sites.
- Habitat destruction from vandalism and fires
(these are issues at Lummaton Quarry)
- Human disturbance
e.g. through littering, trampling, dog fouling.
- Small size of colonies combined with fluctuations in larval food plant kidney vetch can make colonies prone to localised extinctions.
- Low dispersal ability of this sedentary species in combination with habitat fragmentation and
isolation can restrict recovery and ability to recolonize.
Small Blue Butterfly
The small blue has declined severely since the 1950s. The species
has shown a reduction in range of over 50% in the 20th century
(Bourn & Warren, 2000; Species Action
Plan Small Blue Butterfly
Conservation), becoming extinct in many areas of northern England
and becoming increasingly isolated in some southern strongholds.
Torbay holds one of only three small blue sites in Devon, at the disused
Lummaton Quarry; the only other known sites are in East and North Devon.
Main Objectives & Key Actions:
1. Maintain viable population at Lummaton Quarry.
2. Maintain/increase favourable
management of sites with potential
for re-colonization.
3. Ensure no net loss of habitat
suitable for breeding colonies of
small blue within Torbay.
4. Encourage establishment of new
colonies/ restoration of former colonies at suitable sites within Torbay.
5. Maintain a viable network between populations.
6. Continue monitoring to maintain
accurate knowledge of numbers and distribution within Torbay.
7. Raise awareness of Small Blue
and habitat requirements with the community and
land owners/managers
Current threats to this species:
