Environment & Nature
Thistles have a bad reputation. They sting and are considered weeds. Many thistle species are important for insects, for example wild bees and butterflies. For the Apollo butterfly, the spear thistle is essential for survival. This is shown by a research project above Hittisau.
The Apollo butterfly, which is threatened with extinction, can still be found in the Nagelfluhkette area above Hittisau near the Loch-Alpe. Nature park manager Carola Bauer and biologist Alexander Feurle have been researching the Apollo butterfly population in this area for six years: The wide southern slopes in the nature park, which are snow-free from February, are particularly beneficial to the butterfly, says Bauer. The caterpillar can hatch as early as February and feed on the stonecrop. In July, the caterpillar then becomes a butterfly, just at the right time, because that’s when the spear thistle blooms – the Apollo butterfly’s favorite food.
Spear thistle indispensable food source
Even if the spear thistle with its sharp thorns is not particularly popular with grazing animals and therefore also with farmers – it is an indispensable source of food for all possible visitors to the flower, says Feurle. The spear thistle has a lot of tubular flowers, brimming with nectar, which not only benefits long-snouted species such as butterflies, which get in deep, but also short-snouted species, says Feurle.
Photo series with 4 pictures
Butterflies in particular are dependent on the spear thistle and its nectar, which contains amino acids, because it has been shown that they produce more eggs with it. Farmers in the nature park also make an important contribution, says Bauer. He swishes the rocks so that the caterpillar can survive well and also leaves the thistles on the meadows.
Thistles: Indispensable food source for moths
Thistles are considered weeds and have a bad reputation. Many thistle species are important for insects, for example wild bees and butterflies. For the Apollo butterfly, the spear thistle is essential for survival. This is shown by a research project above Hittisau.
In order to preserve the Apollo butterfly and biodiversity, it is also important to ensure that the spear thistle is preserved. Garden owners can also make an active contribution to species protection by leaving thistles standing, says Feurle.
