Extinct & rare migrants - Large Chequed Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus)
This butterfly was discovered in Jersey in 1946 at 3 separate sites, but subsequently became restricted to a single, small site in the north of the island. It is believed that larvae were accidentally introduced in hay that was imported from France during the Second World War while under German occupation (1940-1945). There was a petrol shortage on the island, and this led to an increased use of horses. The butterfly has been extinct on the island since 1996. In Jersey, the butterfly was known by its French name of Le Miroir ("the mirror"), referring to the appearance of the white spots on the hindwings, which resemble beads of water on glass. The butterfly forms discrete colonies and, where it does exist, can occur in large numbers.
Extinct & rare migrants - Large Chequed Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus)
This butterfly was discovered in Jersey in 1946 at 3 separate sites, but subsequently became restricted to a single, small site in the north of the island. It is believed that larvae were accidentally introduced in hay that was imported from France during the Second World War while under German occupation (1940-1945). There was a petrol shortage on the island, and this led to an increased use of horses. The butterfly has been extinct on the island since 1996. In Jersey, the butterfly was known by its French name of Le Miroir ("the mirror"), referring to the appearance of the white spots on the hindwings, which resemble beads of water on glass. The butterfly forms discrete colonies and, where it does exist, can occur in large numbers.