Day butterfly fauna according to the Habitats Directive in the Gesäuse National Park - Quendel ant blue (Phengaris arion)

In June and July 2016, the outstanding mapping of the FFH-protected butterfly Quendel ant-blue (Phengaris arion) was made up. In doing so, enough data could be collected for an assessment of the conservation status. The already known good occurrence in the Kalktal could be confirmed, others in the Wandaubauernkar (already briefly mentioned at KOSCHUH 2012) and in the Plattental were added. A total of 59 proofs for the area could be provided. The deposits extend over the southern slopes of the Tamischbach Tower and the Tifli Wall, where mainly avalanche channels are inhabited. Thus, this habitat is only exposed to natural influences. Unfortunately, an egg search in the Kalktal valley was unsuccessful. Thus, it was not possible to determine exactly whether thyme or oregano or both are used as a caterpillar fodder plant, since both occur together in the area. A search of the butterfly caterpillars in the host seedling nests was not considered effective due to the high effort and the low chances of success. During the visits, attempts were made to record habitat parameters in order to be able to describe them in more detail. Based on these parameters, the status of the habitat was subsequently assessed. The conservation status of the quendel ant-blue (Phengaris arion) was classified as "good".