Biogeography, ecology and conservation of Coenonympha oedippus (Fab., 1787) (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae : Satyrinae)

Coenonympha oedippus, the False Ringlet is, for European lepidopterists, on e of the most endangered species of butterfly. Although its geographical ra nge extends from western France to China, european populations are fragment ed, isolated, often endangered, even extinct from three countries. Its habi tats (Molinion) also decrease as a consequence to human activities; in addi tion, the solitary behaviour of the False Ringlet does not allow it to colo nize new habitats. After an assessment of the rarity and distribution of th is species, in Europe and in France, results are presented about the monito ring of two experimental stations, where an evaluation of population was ma de, together with a study of imaginal biology and behaviour. From these exa mples, it appears that only sub populations of Aquitaine region seem to be equilibrated. For the conservation of this species, in situ dispositions of conservatory management are urgently required for certain sites, but also ex situ measures associated with an assessment and monitoring of source pop ulations.