Tansy beetle: Difference between revisions

The species is formally designated as 'Nationally Rare' in the United Kingdom and categorised as a 'Species of Principal Importance' in accordance with the [[Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006]].<ref name="NBN"/> The Tansy Beetle Action Group was set up in 2008 to initiate and oversee conservation efforts and comprises representatives from the [[University of York]], [[North Yorkshire County Council]], [[City of York Council]], [[Environment Agency]] and the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/iyb/Tansybeetle.aspx |title = Tansy beetle |accessdate = 2012-04-05 |last = [[Natural England]] |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20111123173244/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/iyb/Tansybeetle.aspx |archivedate = 2011-11-23 |df = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=North Yorkshire County Council |url=http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/media/21727/Tansy-Beetle-information-leaflet/pdf/Tansy_Beetle_information_leaflet.pdf |title=Tansy beetle information leaflet |accessdate=2017-01-25}}</ref> A recovery programme started, involving annual surveys of both tansy and beetles, control of tree shading and invasive plants that compete with tansy, such as [[Himalayan balsam]], and limited re-introductions within the current species range. New clumps of tansy have been planted, particularly between isolated existing patches which may be beyond the 200&nbsp;m walking range of the beetle.<ref name="NECR"/> In order to publicise the conservation project [[Rachael Maskell]], the [[Member of Parliament]] for the constituency of [[York Central]] became a 'Tansy Beetle Species Champion' in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14503106.MP_meets_tansy_beetle_in_the_flesh/ |title=MP meets tansy beetle in the flesh |date=2016-05-19 |publisher=York Press |accessdate=2017-01-25}}</ref> That same year, a team of 30 volunteers surveyed a 90&nbsp;km stretch of the banks of the River Ouse.<ref name="2016SurveyCount"/> The surveying has identified an upward trend in population numbers, rising over 60% between 2015 and 2016 to 40,000 individuals.<ref name="2016SurveyCount"/>