Saving Cheshire's White-Letter Hairstreak

For our September Wildlife Exchange Session we're joined by guest speaker Mike Perchard from Butterfly Conservation's Cheshire and Wirral Branch, who will be sharing the remarkable story of one of Britain's most elusive and threatened butterflies: the White-Letter Hairstreak.

Most of us are familiar with the devastating impact of Dutch elm disease, which swept across the UK from the 1960s onwards and decimated native elm populations. What is less well known is the profound effect this had on the White-Letter Hairstreak. As caterpillars, these butterflies rely entirely on elm trees as a food plant, and the loss of elms has led to a dramatic decline in White-Letter Hairstreak populations of around 90% since the 1970s. In this talk, Mike will explore the history of the species, the challenges it continues to face and why conserving it matters.

The good news is that conservation action is making a difference. Here in Cheshire, Butterfly Conservation is leading an ambitious effort to locate and protect surviving colonies, while restoring habitat through the targeted planting of lost elm trees. This inspiring local initiative is helping to give the White-Letter Hairstreak a fighting chance.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this hidden gem of Cheshire's wildlife and discover how you can play a part in its recovery.

Our Wildlife Exchange Sessions are relaxed occasions, with time for asking questions and chatting with others after the talk. Free drinks and biscuits will be provided! The event is organised by RECORD and kindly hosted by Chester Zoo as part of the Networks for Nature project.

Please note that the event is aimed at adults, however older children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

This session takes place at Cedar House, Chester Zoo.