Oviposition site selection of the Alcon blue butterfly at the northern range margin

Vilbas, Margus; Esperk, Toomas; Edovald, Triin; Kaasik, Ants; Teder, Tiit

doi:10.1007/s10841-016-9939-x

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…This result contradicts findings of female butterflies of other species that laid their eggs at sites where food plant abundance is high (Ewing et al 2020), probably to ensure sufficient availability of food for larvae that are less mobile (Curtis et al 2015). In contrast, a study of oviposition site selection of Phengaris alcon found that females laid eggs on less aggregated host plants (Vilbas et al 2016). C. myrmidone is a mobile butterfly in the adult stage, but in captivity it was observed that caterpillars do not move far from the tip of their respective host plant, even though they get more mobile in higher larval stages (Dolek et al 2005).…”

Section: Environmental Variablescontrasting

confidence: 61%

Preserving Colias myrmidone in European cultural landscapes: requirements for the successful development from egg to higher larval stages at a Natura 2000 site in Romania

Nippen

Dolek²,

Loos

2021

J Insect Conserv

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The endangered and declining butterfly species Colias myrmidone is sensitive to land-use changes and vulnerable in its immature stages. The requirements for its larval habitats are still largely unknown, which hinders appropriate management in protected areas. We examined the relation between the larval development of C. myrmidone and environmental variables at a Natura 2000 site in Romania. Individuals that reached higher larval stages had a higher cover of litter as well as a lower cover of forbs around their host plants than individuals that died in early larval stages or as eggs. Surviving individuals had less other host plants in their surrounding and were found on larger host plants. Surviving individuals were found further away from the tip of their hosts than individuals that were lost due to grazing. The grazing regime is of particular importance to ensure the successful development of C. myrmidone from egg to higher larval stages. There seems to be a trade-off between positions at the tip of the shoot with palatable leaves and positions further down that protect against grazing. Especially sheep grazing may cause high direct mortality. The higher amount of litter around surviving larvae indicates a better survival when the grazing pressure is very low, but still present to keep the habitat open. However, occasional heavy grazing events may reduce the cover of forbs. Implications for insect conservation The designation of the investigated Natura 2000 site offers a great opportunity to implement the insights on larval development of C. myrmidone into a management plan, which can support low-intensity grazing regimes preferably with cattle.

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Section: Environmental Variablescontrasting

confidence: 61%

Preserving Colias myrmidone in European cultural landscapes: requirements for the successful development from egg to higher larval stages at a Natura 2000 site in Romania

Nippen

Dolek²,

Loos

2021

J Insect Conserv

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“…For example, seed predation intensity at the population scale has been related to canopy cover (Kolb et al 2007b, Kolb andEhrlén 2010), land use (Arvanitis et al 2007) and soil moisture (von Euler et al 2014), and pollinator foraging and fertilization success have been related to temperature (Herrera 1995, Totland 2001. Likewise, herbivores like butterflies may preferentially oviposit in plants surrounded by low vegetation, because they are both easier to detect (Vilbas et al 2016b), provide protection from predators (Küer and Fartmann 2005) and a warmer microclimate which benefits larval growth (Eilers et al 2013). Interaction intensities might also be directly determined by traits related to plant apparency and visual attraction (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If the presence of these preferred bud developmental stages overlaps more with the oviposition period of the butterfly in early-than in late flowering plants, butterflies would lay more eggs on plants flowering early in the season (Valdés and Ehrlén 2017a). The oviposition preferences of the butterfly are also likely to depend on the environmental conditions in the surroundings of the host plant (Vilbas et al 2016b). Moreover, environmental factors might affect butterfly oviposition patterns indirectly through effects on the expression of plant traits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct and plant trait‐mediated effects of the local environmental context on butterfly oviposition patterns

Valdés

Ehrlén

2018

Oikos

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Variation in the intensity of plant–animal interactions over different spatial scales is widespread and might strongly influence fitness and trait selection in plants. Differences in traits among plant individuals have been shown to influence variation in interaction intensities within populations, while differences in environmental factors and community composition are shown to be important for variation over larger scales. However, little is still known about the relative importance of the local environmental context vs. plant traits for the outcome of interactions within plant populations. We investigated how oviposition by the seed‐predator butterfly Phengaris alcon on its host plant Gentiana pneumonanthe was related to host plant traits and to local environmental variation, as well as how oviposition patterns translated into effects on host plant fruit set. We considered the local environmental context in terms of height of the surrounding vegetation and abundance of the butterfly's second host, Myrmica ants. The probability of oviposition was higher in plants that were surrounded by lower vegetation, and both the probability of oviposition and the number of eggs increased in early‐flowering and tall plants with many flowers in the three study populations. Flowering phenology, shoot height and flower production were, in turn, related to higher surrounding vegetation. Myrmica abundance was correlated with vegetation height, but had no effect on oviposition patterns. Oviposition and subsequent seed predation by the caterpillars strongly reduced host plant fruit set. Our results show that plant–animal interactions are context‐dependent not only because the context influences the abundance or the behavior of the animal interactor, but also because it influences the expression of plant traits that affect the outcome of the interaction. The results also demonstrate that heterogeneity in environmental conditions at a very local scale can be important for the outcomes of interactions.

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“…Duff traps heat (Stuhldreher & Fartmann 2014) and specific winter temperatures may be needed by larvae during diapause (Ewing et al 2020), so we hoped to record the optimal depth of leaves for E. martialis survival. Callophrys irus (Godart, [1824]) (Lycaenidae) and Phengaris alcon (Denis and Schifermüller, 1775) (Lycaenidae) larvae were found in microhabitats exposed by vegetation to different degrees of sunlight and likely subsequent microclimates (Albanese et al 2008, Vilbas et al 2016.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Egg Laying Behaviour and Larval Shelter-Construction Patterns of the Endangered Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) Butterfly's Western Population in Canada

Henault

Westwood

2022

The Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society

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The Mottled duskywing (Erynnis martialis) butterfly is endangered, living in pine forests and oak barrens in Canada and the eastern United States of America. While host plants and larval behaviour is documented in Mottled duskywing's eastern range, these life components are poorly known in Manitoba. We observed adult behaviour, host plant species used and larval foraging to better understand these biological aspects of E. martialis. We observed eggs laid exclusively on Ceanothus herbaceus, and larvae consuming C. herbaceus in leaf shelters near the periphery of plants. Early instar larvae tied leaves together with cells of silk creating partly open shelters while later instar larvae completely sealed shelters. Shelters constructed out of young leaves at the edge of plants are likely easier to digest. Later-instar larvae may nocturnally harvest food to consume in shelters during the day to reduce predation risk. Larvae were found in clearings adjacent to Pinus banksiana dominated forests, with these openings likely providing suitable microhabitats for egg development and larval feeding. We observed newly emerged adults during weeks 1 to 5 of the flight period; eggs, larvae and adults overlapped. We recommend direct observations of larval foraging-during the day and night, as well as transitions into and out of diapause-to more accurately describe their behaviour and physiology. We started to characterise microhabitats, however further research is needed. Our research may help to guide critical habitat designations, leading to successful Mottled duskywing recovery in Manitoba.

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Oviposition site selection of the Alcon blue butterfly at the northern range margin

Cited by 6 publications

References 61 publications

Preserving Colias myrmidone in European cultural landscapes: requirements for the successful development from egg to higher larval stages at a Natura 2000 site in Romania

Preserving Colias myrmidone in European cultural landscapes: requirements for the successful development from egg to higher larval stages at a Natura 2000 site in Romania

Direct and plant trait‐mediated effects of the local environmental context on butterfly oviposition patterns

Egg Laying Behaviour and Larval Shelter-Construction Patterns of the Endangered Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) Butterfly's Western Population in Canada

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