PROPOZYCJA MONITORINGU GATUNKU NEPTIS RIVULARIS (SCOPOLI, 1763) W POLSCE

Abstract

Hungarian Glider (Neptis rivularis), a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, which in Poland is under partial species protection and is included in the Red list of threatened animals in Poland with the EN category. The occurrence and abundance of Neptis rivularis are strictly dependent on the presence of Spiraea salicifolia L., which is the host plant of the species. Limiting the range of the occurrence of the Neptis rivularis in Poland also results from the decline in the number of suitable habitats. This article presents a proposed methodology for monitoring based on the evaluation of indicators of population condition in the form of: number of adults, abundance index, number of caterpillars and population isolation, and indicators of habitat condition – presence of the Spiraea salicifolia and exposure to the sun of microhabitats. The concept of the population condition assessment methodology was based on non-invasive observation of adults and counting caterpillars. The concept of habitat condition assessment methodology is based on a strong relationship between the Neptis rivularis and the Spiraea salicifolia. It is proposed to annually monitor the Neptis rivularis population in at least a dozen research areas within the country. This proposed monitoring methodology requires pilot studies to be carried out within Neptis rivularis occurrence sites in order to assess the effectiveness of the presented assumptions of the monitoring methodology for this species.