False ringlet
Coenonympha oedippus (Fabricius, 1787)
Order Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)
Family Brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae)
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Extinct EX.
General distribution. Scattered in Europe, West and South Siberia, North Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, Japan. Extinct in most of the territory of Europe (a decline of 80-100% has been documented).
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. The only data about the existence of the species in Bulgaria are from the beginning of the 20th century for the sites Poda and Ala Tepe near Marinka Village, Burgas District [1]. Since 1911, it has not been found in Bulgaria. There are no specific data of the abundance of the populations during the time when the species was found in Bulgaria.
Habitats. Not documented in Bulgaria. Elsewhere in the Palearctic it inhabits wetlands dominated by bush vegetation. It occurs mainly along wet infertile meadows in the periphery of marshes, bogs, peatbogs or near rivers. It has also rarely been reported for dry grassy places.
Biology. Poorly studied. One generation per year. The butterfly flies from the beginning of June to the beginning of August. Host plants of the larva are Carex, Eriophorum, Iris, Molinia, Poa palustris, P. pratensis, P. annua, Schoenus. It overwinters in larval stage.
Negative factors. The main threat is the loss and degradation of the major habitats as a result of isolation and fragmentation, climatic changes, drying up of wetlands, intensification, forestation, infrastructure development, industry, tourism, collecting, etc. The fondness of the species of specific habitats also plays a negative role in its survival.
Conservation measures taken. None.
References. 1. Tschorbadschiew, 1915.
Author: Stanislav Abadjiev
