Landscape Resources for the Territorial Nymphalid Butterfly Inachis io: Microsite Landform Selection and Behavioral Responses to Environmental Conditions

Abstract

We investigate the use of landforms at different scales by males of the territorial nymphalid butterfly Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) under different weather conditions. They are known to use landforms at two different scales including macroscale, such as valley sides, tops of slopes and wood edges, and mini-landforms, such as molehills produced by the burrowing animal Talpa europaea Linnaeus (Linnaeus, 1758). Here, we demonstrate that they exploit microscale features on the molehills. The butterfly shifts its position in the landscape in relation to changing conditions by flying, and at the microscale, by walking. The links between thermoregulatory behavior and site selection indicate that perches are adopted to maintain body heat in the cool spring conditions when territories are established. Mini-landforms such as the molehills are adopted for their potential shelter and warmth in relation to ambient conditions; microsite selection typically includes warm niches on molehills, such as sunny slopes, sheltered margins and depressions. Shelter is adopted regardless of reduced visibility for territorial males. The importance of non-consumable (mate location) resources at different spatial scales is discussed in the context of habitat and the matrix.