Ecological group

• Wider Countryside Species
  Able to breed in farmed land, in hedgerows, field margins, road verges, rough grassland, parks or secondary woodland. May be a Migrant – i.e. a species which does not breed in the UK, but comes in from overseas.
• Habitat Specialists
  Able to breed only in botanically rich areas of unimproved grassland, heathland, ancient woodland or bogs.

Conservation priority

Each Butterfly species has been given a priority for UK and for the region, in the case of Dorset for South West England [Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wilts, Gloucs & Dorset].

• High Priority
  One of the following or a combination: Few remaining colonies; high percentage rate of decline in the number of kilometre squares in which it has been recorded; region has a high percentage of UK’s total colonies [e.g. Lulworth Skipper].
• Medium Priority
  The rate of decline in kilometre squares occupied gives cause for concern.
• Low Priority
  High percentage of squares occupied and no evidence of decline.

Rank order

The rank order among the 47 Dorset species, measured by numbers of squares in which the butterfly has been recorded. Rank 1 is the most common, Rank 47 the least.

• Text in red – Species which have declined either: a) in the number of kilometre squares in which they are recorded by 50% or more, or b) fallen by 5 or more places in the rank order.
• Text in green – Species which have increased either: a) in the number of kilometre squares in which they are recorded by 50% or more, or b) risen by 5 or more places in the rank order.