Dec 20
Climate Change is affecting our butterflies
The Holly Blue is one of Ireland’s butterflies that has been affected by climate change. Photo: A. Vliegenthart
A recent report released by Butterfly Conservation Europe has shown that warm-loving butterflies are moving northward as a result of climate change.
In an exciting step for butterfly conservation, data from thirteen countries across Europe (including Ireland) was brought together for the first time. Analyses of the data have shown a northward shift of Europe’s butterfly communities equivalent to 75km between 1990 and 2009. Butterfly monitoring schemes have been run in some countries for over 30 years with most of the work being done by volunteers. “These cost-effective monitoring schemes are providing invaluable data on climate change and it’s impacts on biodiversity” explains Dr. Eugenie Regan, co-ordinator of the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, “and worryingly the data is showing that butterflies are not keeping pace with climate change which could lead to some butterflies becoming extinct.”
The report published by Butterfly Conservation Europe and Dutch Butterfly Conservation can be downloaded here.
VS2010-025 Impact of climate change on butterfly communities 1990-2009
Dec 09
Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists 2011
When: Saturday, 5th of March 2011
Where: Medical Biology Centre, Queens University, Belfast
Organising committee: Dr. Chris Harrod (QUB), Pascal Sweeney (Sweeney Consultancy), Dr. Mary Kelly-Quinn (UCD), Dr. Ken Irvine (TCD), Dr. Eugenie Regan (National Biodiversity Data Centre), Maria Walsh (National Biodiversity Data Centre)
The 2011 Annual Meeting of Irish Freshwater Biologists will focus on ‘New Methodologies in Freshwater Biological Research’ and will be held in Queens University, Belfast. If you’re interested in attending please email info@biodiversityireland.ie. If you’d like to give a presentation on your research, please email a title to the above address by the 17th of January. There will be a €15 fee to cover lunch and coffee.
Dec 08
Harlequin Ladybirds - Ireland's latest invasive species
The world’s most invasive ladybird, the Harelequin ladybird, has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland in November 2010. Two adult Harlequin ladybirds were report from counties Cork and Wicklow. This large ladybird is a threat to native invertebrate diversity and can become a significant horticultural pest. A Species Alert has been issued by the National Biodiversity Data Centre to highlight the arrival of this species and to encourage people to report any sightings. Sighting of this species should be sent to the Data Centre at coflynn@biodiversityireland.ie. A press release can be downloaded here: Press release 8 December 2010
