The large blue butterfly species almost disappeared entirely from the Nordic countries during the fossil era and could only be found on very rare occasions in certain parts of southern Sweden.
The butterfly depends on connected habitats with an abundance of creeping thyme and sand ants. With the renewed focus on low-intensity grazing land and subsidies targeting “meat free” animal husbandry, the large blue has returned, especially in areas with grazing sheep.
It has also benefited from the warmer Swedish summers — although the extreme summer droughts of 2045 and 2046 decimated the promising large blue populations of the time.
This text is part of the future scenario and study material Beyond the Fossil Era.
