The Duke of Burgundy butterfly and its dukedom: larval niche variation in Hamearis lucina across Central Europe

Anthes, Nils; Fartmann, Thomas; Hermann, Gabriel

doi:10.1007/s10841-007-9084-7

Cited by 39 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…After one week of paddock grazing by goats in September, of the 84 batches, which were recorded at WF prior to grazing, 70 batches (83%) were still present (personal observation). Moreover, rough grazing is also known to favour other target insects occurring in the calcareous grasslands in the Diemel Valley Anthes et al, 2008;Eichel & Fartmann, 2008;Poniatowski & Fartmann, 2010;Krämer et al, in press). …”

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reintroduction of this way of managing forests, particularly those adjacent to calcareous grasslands, would favour S. spini (Beneš et al, 2002(Beneš et al, , 2003 and other threatened species of butterfly (e.g. Hameris lucina: Anthes et al, 2008). Even if regular coppicing is not possible, clear cutting is an alternative as it creates new habitats for S. spini that remain suitable for many years (Hermann, 2007).…”

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How much care does a shrub-feeding hairstreak butterfly, Satyrium spini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), need in calcareous grasslands?

Löffler¹,

Stuhldreher²,

Fartmann³

2013

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. Many butterfly target species are associated with early successional stages of grasslands. The Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), is a target species of grasslands. However, it feeds on Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), which is associated with late successional stages of grasslands. If S. spini would also be restricted to late seral stages, there might be a management dilemma due to the contrasting requirements of S. spini and other target species. The aim of this study was to determine the oviposition preference of S. spini in calcareous grasslands, and to give management recommendations to promote this species. Therefore, we studied the oviposition microhabitats of S. spini at three representative patches of the Diemel Valley (Central Germany) by comparing environmental conditions on occupied and control host plants. In total we surveyed 1,889 host plants. Altogether we found 148 batches of S. spini on them containing 396 eggs. Most of the eggs were on plants that grew under the warmest conditions. Females preferred to lay eggs on small (< 1.3 m) shrubs of Rh. cathartica fully exposed to the sun growing on steep south-and west-facing slopes. This butterfly showed no difference in its preference for bushes growing in hedges or solitarily. About 80% of the batches of eggs were laid on the upper surface of a twig fork close to the surface of the ground (< 1 m). Our study showed that S. spini is a species characteristic of mid-successional stages of calcareous grasslands. The survival of suitable habitats for S. spini depends on regular management. To achieve this we recommend traditional rough grazing with sheep and goats, which creates open grasslands with small Rhamnus plants. In addition, the shrubs in tall hedges bordering calcareous grasslands should be subjected to cutting on a rotating basis.

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Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

How much care does a shrub-feeding hairstreak butterfly, Satyrium spini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), need in calcareous grasslands?

Löffler¹,

Stuhldreher²,

Fartmann³

2013

Eur. J. Entomol.

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“…The development of effective conservation strategies and management of E. catax across its geographical range, should be based on a detailed knowledge about the species habitat requirements at local scales (Anthes et al 2008;Čelik et al 2015). Understanding of a species' oviposition preferences may be of crucial importance, because oviposition itself represents the spatial inference between all successive life stages and the environment (Čelik 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oviposition site selection of a threatened moth Eriogaster catax (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in agricultural landscape—implications for its conservation

2017

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Shrubby field margins and hedgerows play an important role for many species of flora and fauna in agro-ecosystems, including those which are rare or endangered. A characteristic species of these semi-natural habitats in agricultural landscape is the Eastern eggar, Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758): a moth species threatened in many European countries. In this study we investigated the oviposition preferences of E. catax at host plant level in agricultural landscape in south-western Poland, near of the northern limit of the species distribution in Europe. In total we surveyed 796 host plants. Altogether we found 439 eggs batches or caterpillar webs of E. catax on 373 occupied plants. Most of them (92.3%) were on blackthorn Prunus spinosa, which was preferred host plant next to pear Pyrus spp. However, the most important predictor of the presence of egg batches were microclimatic conditions. We recorded that females preferred host plants exposed to direct sunlight and with south and west-facing slopes for oviposition and avoided those inside of the dense shrub canopy. Eggs were laid more often on the trunk and on the upper half of the host plant, however there was a significant difference in vertical and horizontal position of egg batches in relation to the position of the plant. Inside of the shrub canopy, eggs were laid in higher parts of host plant and closer to the trunk, than at the edge and on solitary plants. Based on our observations the management strategies for the habitats of the species are proposed and discussed.

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“…In contrast, weather conditions at the lower altitudes in Central Europe are not as harsh and more predictable. For Hamearis lucina, small egg batches are also thought to constitute a risk-spreading strategy to cope with unfavourable climatic conditions along a geographic gradient (Anthes et al, 2008). However, to verify this assumption it is necessary to undertake further studies on batch size and survival rates of S. spini eggs and larvae along a climatic gradient.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhabiting warm microhabitats and risk-spreading as strategies for survival of a phytophagous insect living in common pastures in the Pyrenees

Stuhldreher¹,

Villar²,

Fartmann³

2012

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. The breakdown of the transhumant grazing system in the Spanish Pyrenees has led to a severe decline in the area of pastures. However, in the high mountain zone there are still large areas of species-rich grasslands. The aim of this study was to assess the oviposition preferences of the shrub-feeding Blue-spot hairstreak, Satyrium spini (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), in montane common pastures in the Spanish Pyrenees and recommend a way of managing these grasslands that favours this species. Our study showed that females of S. spini laid their eggs on Dwarf buckthorn (Rhamnus pumila Turra) and Alpine buckthorn (R. alpina L.), which are novel host plant records for Spain. A warm microclimate was of crucial importance for egg-laying. Occupied plants grew mostly at sparsely vegetated grassland sites where there were large patches of bare rocks, stones or gravel. Most egg batches were laid close to the ground and 75% consisted of only one egg. The number of batches per R. pumila plant was higher on east-, southand west-facing slopes than on north-facing slopes. Presence of eggs and the number of egg batches per R. pumila plant were best explained by a long sunshine duration. At high altitudes particularly warm microhabitats seem to be more important for S. spini than at lower altitudes in Central Europe. We assume that the preference for unusually warm microhabitats is explained by the cold climatic conditions near the altitudinal range limit of the species. That most of the eggs were laid singly and not in small batches as in Central Europe might be a risk-spreading strategy to cope with the harsh climatic conditions and the high inter-annual variation in weather conditions in the high mountain zone in the Pyrenees. The best way to maintain open grasslands for S. spini and other thermophilous grassland species in the high mountain zone of the Pyrenees is to use the traditional combination of sheep and cattle grazing.

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The Duke of Burgundy butterfly and its dukedom: larval niche variation in Hamearis lucina across Central Europe

Cited by 39 publications

References 40 publications

How much care does a shrub-feeding hairstreak butterfly, Satyrium spini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), need in calcareous grasslands?

How much care does a shrub-feeding hairstreak butterfly, Satyrium spini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), need in calcareous grasslands?

Oviposition site selection of a threatened moth Eriogaster catax (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in agricultural landscape—implications for its conservation

Inhabiting warm microhabitats and risk-spreading as strategies for survival of a phytophagous insect living in common pastures in the Pyrenees

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