This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/04/tree-saving-campaign-focuses-eyes-on-the-white-letter-hairstreak

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tree-saving campaign focuses eyes on the white-letter hairstreak Tree-saving campaign focuses eyes on the white-letter hairstreak
(21 days later)
We tend to picture butterflies feeding on flowers, but five British species spend most of their lives in the tops of trees. These insects are often overlooked during their unobtrusive lives. But the white-letter hairstreak finds itself in the spotlight this month as local people fight to save a fine mature elm in Sheffield.We tend to picture butterflies feeding on flowers, but five British species spend most of their lives in the tops of trees. These insects are often overlooked during their unobtrusive lives. But the white-letter hairstreak finds itself in the spotlight this month as local people fight to save a fine mature elm in Sheffield.
Related: Rare UK butterfly under threat as elms disappear
A modest brown butterfly with trim little tails and a white “w” on the underside of its wings, the white-letter hairstreak lays its eggs on elm. Its caterpillars eat the flower buds and leaves and its adults spend much of their lives sunning themselves or supping aphid honeydew in the treetops.A modest brown butterfly with trim little tails and a white “w” on the underside of its wings, the white-letter hairstreak lays its eggs on elm. Its caterpillars eat the flower buds and leaves and its adults spend much of their lives sunning themselves or supping aphid honeydew in the treetops.
Unsurprisingly, its abundance has plummeted by 96% since elms succumbed to Dutch elm disease in the 1970s. The butterfly has clung on in areas where disease stricken elms regenerate in hedgerows and also relies on wych elm and disease-resistant elm cultivars.Unsurprisingly, its abundance has plummeted by 96% since elms succumbed to Dutch elm disease in the 1970s. The butterfly has clung on in areas where disease stricken elms regenerate in hedgerows and also relies on wych elm and disease-resistant elm cultivars.
The 120-year-old elm in Nether Edge, Sheffield, is a rare example of a Huntingdon elm which has escaped the disease (urban elms in Brighton have survived too).The 120-year-old elm in Nether Edge, Sheffield, is a rare example of a Huntingdon elm which has escaped the disease (urban elms in Brighton have survived too).
Related: Introducing 'treeconomics': how street trees can save our cities
Residents attempting to save Sheffield’s street trees from a controversial city council-led felling programme – which has led to 3,000 mature trees being chopped down since 2012 – hired an open top bus last month so people could enjoy seeing the white-letter hairstreaks enjoying the protection of the elm’s canopy.Residents attempting to save Sheffield’s street trees from a controversial city council-led felling programme – which has led to 3,000 mature trees being chopped down since 2012 – hired an open top bus last month so people could enjoy seeing the white-letter hairstreaks enjoying the protection of the elm’s canopy.
If the council fells the tree later this year this colony of rare butterflies will be wiped out because next year’s eggs have already been laid in the tree. Chelsea Road will lose one of its rarest resident communities and anyone wandering the streets will forever lose the opportunity to savour a serendipitous summer encounter with this pretty, blameless, butterfly.If the council fells the tree later this year this colony of rare butterflies will be wiped out because next year’s eggs have already been laid in the tree. Chelsea Road will lose one of its rarest resident communities and anyone wandering the streets will forever lose the opportunity to savour a serendipitous summer encounter with this pretty, blameless, butterfly.