Abstract
Butterfly communities of field boundaries were studied in nine traditionally managed (grazed, mown) and eight intensively managed (ploughed, fertilised) farmland sites. Transect count data over 3 years (1997–1999) covered a total of 53 species and 5382 individuals. The butterfly fauna was rather similar under both management forms; species richness and relative abundance did not differ significantly between habitats, species diversity being higher in traditionally managed sites. In both habitats, the most abundant species were Aphantopus hyperantus, Thymelicus lineola and Pieris napi. Of 39 species observed in ≥3 sites, only Aglais urticae showed a significant preference for intensive management. The abundance of larval host plants and adult nectar plants were important factors for the occurrence of several butterfly species.
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