Dagvlinders op de zinkflora van ‘La Calamine’

The nature reserve 'La Calamine' with its characteristic zinc flora harbours several threatened butterfly species among which are the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) and the Queen of Spain Frittilary | (Issoria lathonia). Papulations of both species use Viola calaminaria as a hostplant and this despite the high concentrations of zinc that are accumulated in their leaves. Also the threatened Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) and Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus semiargus) occurred in the reserve. All four species are Red Data book species and are indicators of nutrient poor grassland. Apparently the zinc contamination together with the accompanying zinc flora can lead to a nutrient poor vegetation that can form a suitable habitat for some threatened butterflies.