Oviposition site selection of an endangered butterfly at local spatial scales

Tjørnløv, Rune Skjold; Kissling, W. Daniel; Barnagaud, Jean‐Yves; Bøcher, Peder Klith; Høye, Toke T.

doi:10.1007/s10841-014-9747-0

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Some research suggests that host plant abundance is the only important predictor of the presence-absence and abundance of larval webs of E . aurinia [24]; however, others showed that vegetation structure and habitat management were also important [18,25,26]. We share the latter opinion on the basis of the field observations of E .…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Ellenberg's indicator values support prediction of suitable habitat for pre-diapause larvae of endangered butterfly Euphydryas aurinia

et al. 2017

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In spite of the great popularity of Ellenberg’s Indicator Values (EIVs) in plant ecology, animal ecologists seldom use EIVs to address ecological questions. In this study we used EIVs to test their potential usefulness for the prediction of suitable habitat for pre-diapause larvae of the endangered butterfly species Euphydryas aurinia. Nine transects crossing grasslands in SW Poland with abundant populations of E. aurinia were designed. We sampled 76 vegetation plots along the transects. In addition, the presence of the larval webs of E. aurinia in sampled plots was also recorded. We then calculated the mean community EIVs of light, nitrogen, soil reaction, moisture and temperature for each sample plots. Generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) were used to assess which factors determine the local occurrence of larval webs of E. aurinia. We found the larval webs only in 12 plots, while the host plant was present in 39 of the examined plots. The presence of the host plant was the most important predictor in both models including all plots or including only plots with host plants. The other significant predictor was the mean EIV of light, and its importance increased in models considering all plots. We attributed the importance of the EIV of light to the site openness and density of the vegetation layer. A positive relationship between this predictor and the presence of larval webs indicates that sites with looser vegetation, a lower contribution of shrubs and tall herbs and better penetration of photosynthetically active radiation to lower vegetation layers are preferred by E. aurinia for oviposition. Moreover, the significance of EIV of light may be linked with management practices. Many light-demanding species decline after cessation of mowing as a result of litter accumulation and the dominance of tall herbs. An absence of light-demanding species decreases the community’s mean EIV of light and thus indicates the influence of meadow abandonment.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Ellenberg's indicator values support prediction of suitable habitat for pre-diapause larvae of endangered butterfly Euphydryas aurinia

et al. 2017

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“…Whilst the patch scale and inter-patch connectivity is important to the mobile adult butterfly and essential for the maintenance of functioning metapopulations, pre-diapause larvae have been reported to be quite sedentary (e.g. Anthes et al 2003;Early 2006;Tjørnløv et al 2015). The oviposition site has a direct impact on hatching success, larval performance, and, in the long run, parental fitness (Resetarits 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microhabitat selection by ovipositing females and pre-diapause larvae of a Welsh population of Euphydryas aurinia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Pschera

Warren

2018

J Insect Conserv

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Habitat requirements of the marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia have been studied intensively in recent years in order to inform conservation action on this rapidly declining species. Autecological studies have been undertaken on various spatial scales to account for differences in mobility between life stages. It has become clear that resource utilisation by the species varies between different geographic areas and also on a local scale. We studied the microhabitat surrounding Succisa pratensis plants chosen for oviposition and around resulting larval webs in a key Welsh population, UK. Microhabitat preferences were shown to differ between ovipositing females and pre-diapause larval groups. For oviposition, females showed a preference for host plants within clusters of S. pratensis surrounded by a relatively low sward. In contrast, larval webs were found in relatively high vegetation with relatively low S. pratensis cover in the immediate vicinity. The marked difference between oviposition and larval web microhabitat was achieved through very long distance dispersals undertaken by the pre-diapause larval groups. This gives rise to questioning the common assumption that pre-diapause larval web location can be used as a proxy for oviposition location. It also underpins the importance of managing E. aurinia habitats for maximum structural variability on a small scale.

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“…Several papers were concerned with population trends (Swengel and Swengel 2015a, b; including monitoring approaches or conservation at very different spatial scales such as South Africa (Edge and Mecenero 2015) and the vineyards of Washington State in the USA (James et al 2015). Autecological studies are always welcome; Edge and Bazin (2015) contributed an indepth study of the Knysna skolly Thestor brachycerus brachycerus, Č elik et al (2015) a paper on the habitat quality determinants for the false ringlet Coenonympha Oedipus, whilst Tjørnløv et al (2015) focussed on oviposition site selection in the marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia. Maes et al (2014) highlights the value of a neglected biotope, the ecotone, and examines the requirements of an ecotonal species, the ilex hairstreak Satyrium ilicis, concluding that a resource-based approach is most appropriate for this butterfly.…”

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confidence: 99%