Surveying for caterpillars of a rare butterfly using ultraviolet light: the Frosted Elfin butterfly (Callophyrs irus) as a test case

Moskowitz, David

doi:10.1007/s10841-019-00200-7

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Luminescence of larvae under UV light has previously been reported in certain butter ies (Kevin et al, 2019;Moskowitz, 2017Moskowitz, , 2018Moskowitz, , 2020Moskowitz, , 2021. Experiments recording bird strikes on plasticine larvae models painted with uorescent treatments compared with unpainted controls suggest that this characteristic reduces avian predation (Czarnecki et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Experiments recording bird strikes on plasticine larvae models painted with uorescent treatments compared with unpainted controls suggest that this characteristic reduces avian predation (Czarnecki et al, 2021). This trait has been used to develop new methodologies for surveying, notably using UV ashlights at nighttime to locate larvae which are cryptic and therefore di cult to nd in the daytime (Moskowitz, 2020). These nocturnal UV surveys have been used to determine the presence of a wide range of species at speci c locations (Moskowitz, 2021), and in targeted surveys to monitor the larvae of single species (Moskowitz, 2020;Tilley, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This trait has been used to develop new methodologies for surveying, notably using UV ashlights at nighttime to locate larvae which are cryptic and therefore di cult to nd in the daytime (Moskowitz, 2020). These nocturnal UV surveys have been used to determine the presence of a wide range of species at speci c locations (Moskowitz, 2021), and in targeted surveys to monitor the larvae of single species (Moskowitz, 2020;Tilley, 2023). Here, we have used the Black Hairstreak butter y which is cryptic during the immature stages of its lifecycle as a case study (Bourn NAD and Warren M, 1998;Eeles P, 2019;Field R, 2006;Hermann G, 2007;Koschuh A, 2004, Salmon, MA 2001Thomas J, 1974; Thomas J and Lewington R, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most commonly available UV ashlights emit at wavelengths of 385-395nm. This is the kind that has been used most often for conducting nocturnal searches for larvae (Kevin et al, 2019;Moskowitz, 2017Moskowitz, , 2018Moskowitz, , 2020Moskowitz, , 2021. However, ashlights that emit at 365nm are increasingly obtainable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of different UV wavelengths and instar for surveying the immature stages of butterflies

Tilley,

Stewart

2023

Preprint

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Nocturnal UV flashlight surveys have been used to study the immature stages of certain butterflies as they offer a novel method of investigating cryptic species. Using the Black Hairstreak butterfly as a model species, we demonstrate how photoluminescence increases with larval stage. Nocturnal UV surveys can be used to show when numbers peak, as larvae become increasingly detectable, before they decrease due to pupation and predation. To investigate the transferability of using UV nocturnal surveys for detecting other species, we compare larval photoluminescence using UV flashlights emitting at 365nm with those emitting at 385-395nm. We find notable differences across six species of butterfly: for example, Small Copper and Purple Hairstreak larvae photoluminesce significantly only under 365nm UV light. As most commercially available UV flashlights emit at 385-395nm, this indicates that there are potentially more species that could be detected using UV flashlights than previously realised. Implications for insect conservation: our results show that researchers wishing to conduct nocturnal flashlight surveys should be aware that, because the photoluminescence of larvae is dependent on the UV wavelength used, monitoring different species will require the adoption of lights emitting the appropriate wavelength. Also, the optimal time for surveying a particular species will be at peak photoluminescence which in turn will be dependent on larval stage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Evaluation of different UV wavelengths and instar for surveying the immature stages of butterflies

Tilley,

Stewart

2023

Preprint

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“…Luminescence of larvae under UV light has previously been reported in certain lycaenid butter ies (Moskowitz, 2017(Moskowitz, , 2018(Moskowitz, , 2020, a trait that has been shown to reduce avian predation (Czarnecki et al, 2021). In this study, we show for the rst time, that the larvae of Black Hairstreak luminesce under UV light.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Evaluating the use of UV photoluminescence for surveying the immature stages of rare butterflies: a case study using the Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni)

Tilley

Anderson

Stewart

2022

Preprint

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Conservation of rare and elusive butterflies can benefit from the use of contrasting survey techniques to confirm their presence and to understand the lifecycle in more detail. This case study trialled different survey techniques for all stages of the lifecycle (ova, larva, pupa and adult) to assess their value for monitoring Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni) populations in Britain. Daytime surveys for well camouflaged ova, larvae and pupae yielded little success. However, the novel use of UV torches in nocturnal surveys for photoluminescent larvae was found to be an effective technique when compared to surveying adult butterflies. Critically, combined surveying for larvae and adults provides unique insights into the behaviour of the species at different stages in the lifecycle and, when used in combination, gives a more wholistic understanding of the true nature of a colony of Black Hairstreak butterflies. Implications for insect conservation: our results show that the novel use of nocturnal surveys for larvae with UV torches is a valuable technique for surveying for Black Hairstreak butterflies. It therefore has potential to be used in conjunction with other survey techniques for assessing the health of a colony and supporting conservation at different stages of the lifecycle of the butterfly.

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An experimental translocation of the imperiled frosted elfin (Callophrys irus)

Meyer

McElveen

2021

J Insect Conserv

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Surveying for caterpillars of a rare butterfly using ultraviolet light: the Frosted Elfin butterfly (Callophyrs irus) as a test case

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Evaluation of different UV wavelengths and instar for surveying the immature stages of butterflies

Evaluation of different UV wavelengths and instar for surveying the immature stages of butterflies

Evaluating the use of UV photoluminescence for surveying the immature stages of rare butterflies: a case study using the Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni)

An experimental translocation of the imperiled frosted elfin (Callophrys irus)

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