The marsh fritillary butterfly is a protected
species |
Work
has stopped on a building project after police received a complaint
that a rare butterfly breeding ground had been disturbed.
Conservationists fear the work, at an old bus depot, could have
destroyed a marsh fritillary breeding ground.
Officers are examining whether the Wildlife and Countryside Act,
which protects rare species, has been contravened in Ystradgynlais,
Powys.
Experts said the marsh fritillary had almost disappeared in the
county.
Dyfed-Powys Police said they had asked a builder to stop work
temporarily until they made sure no offences had been committed.
Russell Hobson, senior officer with the Butterfly Conservation
Trust, said the Ystradgynlais site was a core breeding area for the
marsh fritillary. Brecknock Wildlife Trust has also expressed its
concern.
The species is in decline in most European countries. It is also
found in Asia as far east as Korea.