Conservation of Lycaenidae
The major sequence of needs in order to effect conservation
programmes for any form of terrestrial wildlife is as follows:
i) Documentation and education, to increase awareness at all
levels and as a mode of communication between informed
scientists and those who make practical decisions over
priorities for land use;
ii) Detection of habitats supporting either critical faunas or
single notable or vulnerable species which merit protection
and the promotion of their continued protection in existing
National Parks and other reserves;
iii) Investigation of the limits and/or wisdom of legislative
protection for particular taxa or habitats, as an interim
measure whilst additional documentation is obtained, and
iv) Autecological studies of selected taxa as a basis for
formulating sound management plans, a step which can
come only from a basis of substantial research rather than
haphazard extrapolation and which is, therefore, costly.
v) Investigation of techniques for captive rearing, in case of
need for ex situ conservation, or translocation. This should
not be seen as a replacement option for in situ conservation.
The information contained in this volume has hitherto been
scattered through a wide range of reports (of varying degrees of
formality and distribution) and scientific papers. In dealing
with such a diverse group of insects, this book cannot be as
definitive as 'Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies' (Collins and
Morris 1985), but the examples given reflect a growing number
of detailed studies on lycaenids and concern over their
conservation. It represents a useful starting point for the
development of conservation programmes for the Lycaenidae
and should help to focus attention on groups or geographical
regions in need of urgent attention.