Butterflies are fragile animals by nature, and they need stable natural conditions for their survival. Stability vs. fragility need to complement each other in the butterfly world. They need a very specific combination of habitats for their survival. Therefore, in order for caterpillars and therefore butterflies to survive, so-called host plants are important. These are the plants on which the caterpillars feed and on which they survive. We are planting some of them as part of the project, because they are disappearing together with their consumers due to changes in landscape management.
One such plant is the cross gentian (Gentiana cruciata), the host plant of the Alcon blue butterfly. Direct sowing is difficult because the seedlings are delicate in the first year and tolerate competition from other plant species very poorly, as well as constant direct sunlight. The starting point for fast recovery and support of collapsing populations is the planting of pre-grown biennial seedlings in addition to appropriate management. Some of the pre-grown and planted plants are already capable of flowering in the third year. These gentians will flower in Holubyho kopanice, an area of European importance.
