Five species of butterflies are added to the list of threatened species.
Madrid, May 13 (EFEverde).- Five species of butterflies have been incorporated into the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species (CEEA) and the List of Wild Species under Special Protection (LESRPE), after more than three years of scientific work and conservation pressure, the ZERYNTHIA Association highlights in a statement.
The Official State Gazette (BOE) today published the order from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge , which updates the regulations that also affect various species of flora and fauna, both continental and marine.
Until now, only three species of butterflies had legal protection at the state level, which, according to ZERYNTHIA, reflects a "historical underrepresentation of insects" in the main conservation tools in Spain.
"This progress marks a turning point in the recognition of its ecological value," said Yeray Monasterio, president of the organization.
Two of the species now protected are Lycaena helle (violet mantle) and Gegenes pumilio (Balearic swift), both classified as “Endangered”.
The Lycaena helle (violet mantle) has a single, very small population in our country, located in the mountains of León, while the Gegenes pumilio (Balearic swift) has experienced a sharp decline in Mallorca, where its only known population in Spain is found.
Special Protection RegimeAlong with these, three other butterflies have been included in the List of Wild Species under Special Protection: Agriades glandon zullichi (Sierra Nevada alpine butterfly), Pyrgus cinarae (haltera checkered butterfly), and Pyrgus sidae (yellow checkered butterfly). All of them have extremely limited geographic distributions and require urgent improvement in scientific knowledge and the implementation of effective conservation measures.
ZERYNTHIA, the sponsor of this proposal, presented several nominations based on technical data and in collaboration with various specialists from the organization. While this scientific organization highly values the protection granted to these species, it also notes that three of the eight candidates presented have not been included in this update.
Three have not been includedThese are Pieris cherianthi (the nasturtium butterfly), Hipparchia bacchus (the El Hierro satyr), and Malacosoma laurae, species with highly compromised conservation status. The first two are endemic to the Canary Islands archipelago, and their inclusion at the national level requires the express support of the Canary Islands government. Furthermore, the El Hierro satyr has been chosen as "Butterfly of the Year 2025" by popular vote. Malacosoma laurae, for its part, is a species exclusive to the coastal marshes of Huelva and Cádiz.
"The exclusion of these species does not resolve their situation. It is urgent to continue working with the relevant authorities to ensure their legal protection," Monasterio warned.
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