Abstract
BackgroundThe dramatic worldwide decline in the butterfly species Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) is largely the result of continuous habitat decline and disturbance by humans. The discovery of a narrow habitat in riverside wetlands utilized by L. unicolor raises the hope that such restricted key areas could be rather easily protected.ResultsHere, we explain the environmental variables and habitat characteristics that primarily influence the distribution of L. unicolor discovered at the riverside areas along the Geum River. L. unicolor larvae were found at 9 of 13 study sites, and their abundance was strongly positively correlated with plant biomass. Our investigation showed that among four plant species (Miscanthus sinensis, Spodiopogon cotulifer, Setaria viridis, and Imperata cylindrica), L. unicolor larvae were the most abundant on the leaves of M. sinensis. They were not abundant on the leaves of S. cotulifer, S. viridis, or I. cylindrica. Interestingly, the number of L. unicolor larvae was positively correlated with the coverage area (m2) of M. sinensis (F = 41.7, r2 = 0.74, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsIt appears that water (e.g., wetlands, ponds, and watersides) located along the riverside areas along the Geum River is important for the constant maintenance and conservation of L. unicolor. This is based on the habitat characteristics (water preference) of M. sinensis, which is used as a habitat by L. unicolor larvae. However, the waterside is dry and terrestrialization is in progress owing to the decreased water levels and water supply caused by an opened weir. Hereafter, this area will likely require management to secure a stable habitat for L. unicolor.
Highlights
The dramatic worldwide decline in the butterfly species Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) is largely the result of continuous habitat decline and disturbance by humans
The larval density per area (m2) results from four plant communities (M. sinensis, S. cotulifer, S. viridis, and I. cylindrica), showed that L. unicolor was found at low densities in S. cotulifer, S. viridis, and I. cylindrica
L. unicolor larvae were largely dependent on the rate of coverage rate of M. sinensis: the higher the rate of coverage by M. sinensis, the more larvae were present
Summary
The dramatic worldwide decline in the butterfly species Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) is largely the result of continuous habitat decline and disturbance by humans. The discovery of a narrow habitat in riverside wetlands utilized by L. unicolor raises the hope that such restricted key areas could be rather protected. L. unicolor is distributed across a narrow area of Korea, China, Russia, and Japan (Tsukiyama et al 1997). It favors wetlands where Miscanthus sinensis is abundant and is locally distributed. Kim et al (2012) reported that the habitat range of southern family species is gradually expanding north, while that of northern butterfly species is moving northward, but their populations are decreasing. It is crucial to obtain data in order to restore L. unicolor, as populations are decreasing across all the countries in its range
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