Butterfly Conservation Research Articles

Multi-scale considerations for grassland butterfly conservation in agroecosystems

Global change threatens the persistence of multiple taxonomic groups, including butterflies. While conservation efforts for butterfly populations have increased, they are often hampered by a lack of true density estimates and a better understanding of ecological factors that influence density. Our objective was to enhance current grassland butterfly conservation efforts by using line-transect distance sampling to calculate density estimates and model the influence of landscape and local variables on butterfly density in the Northern Great Plains, USA. We calculated density for five obligate and ten facultative grassland species to produce one of the most extensive datasets for butterfly densities to date. In contrast to most previous research, we found that landscape variables influenced butterfly density more often than local variables. Specifically, the percent cover of perennial grasslands, crop lands, and wetlands appeared in 90% of species models, whereas common local variables—forb richness and invasive plant cover— appeared in 60% of best-ranked models. We expected the density of obligate butterfly species to decrease as invasive plants increased, but butterfly species' responses varied with larval diet, instead of habitat associations. Best-ranked models for Danaus plexippus and Speyeria idalia, two species of conservation concern with obligate host plants, did not include local host plant availability. Our results reiterate the importance of modeling species responses to variables across multiple scales and the potential benefits of conserving large tracts of grasslands. Although results emphasize the need for conservation at the landscape scale, managing for heterogeneous local scale variables will also help conserve grassland butterflies.

Instar‐specific effects of host plants on survival of endangered butterfly larvae

1. Outcomes for butterfly conservation can hinge on interactions with host plants during early larval instars. Ontogenetic changes in larvae may cause predictors of survival to shift quickly over time.2. Survival from instar to instar was measured for an endangered oligophagous butterfly,Euphydryas edithassp.taylori(Taylor's checkerspot), which was experimentally released in the field on three host plants:Castilleja levisecta,Castilleja hispida, andPlantago lanceolata. Survival rates were quantified, from hatching to the second instar, from the second to the third instar, and from the third to the fourth instar.3. This study tested whether host plant characteristics (degree of senescence and anthocyanin pigmentation) affected survival during each instar; the effects of oviposition timing and larval group size on survival were also tested, as these vary by group and could affect outcomes for larvae differently on different hosts.4. Survival rates depended on the host species being consumed, mostly because of a disparity in survival during the transition from the second to the third instar. Survival was lowest onC. levisecta, intermediate onC. hispida, and highest onP. lanceolata.5. Plant senescence, oviposition timing, and group size were predictors of survival, but their relevance depended on both the host plant being used and the instar being considered.6. Host plant suitability can vary strongly both within and among species, changing quickly with caterpillar ontogeny during early instars.

Effects of simulated highway noise on heart rates of larval monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus: implications for roadside habitat suitability.

Developed countries around the world are criss-crossed with vast networks of roadways. Conservationists have recently focused attention on roadsides as possible locations for establishing pollinator habitat, with the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) featuring prominently in such discussions. However, roadsides are inherently loud, which could negatively affect developing larvae. We conducted a series of experiments testing if simulated highway noise stresses monarch larvae, which we gauged by non-destructive monitoring of heart rates. In two replicated experiments, larvae exposed for 2 h experienced a significant increase in heart rate (16 and 17% elevation), indicating they perceive traffic noise as a stressor. Meanwhile, experiments exposing larvae for either 7 or 12 days to continuous traffic noise both showed no heart rate elevation at the end of larval development, suggesting chronic noise exposure leads to habituation or desensitization. Habituation to stress as larvae may impair reactions to real-world stressors as adults, which could be problematic for a butterfly that undertakes an annual two-month migration that is fraught with dangers. More generally, these results could have far-reaching implications for the billions of insects worldwide that develop near roadways, and argue that further study is needed before promoting roadside habitat for butterfly conservation.

Diversity of Species and Conservation Priority of Butterfly at Suranadi Natural Park of West Lombok, Indonesia

Butterflies play an important role in the ecosystem of Suranadi Natural Park in West Lombok. Butterflies help preserving the existence and diversity of flora by facilitating the process of pollination so it is crucial for flowering plants. The present study aimed at analyzing the diversity and determining the priority of butterfly conservation at Suranadi Natural Park of West Lombok. This exploration is a descriptive study. Data were observed in four-time repetition in the morning and in the afternoon for two months. The sweeping net technique following observation path was employed in this research (line left, line right, line central and line waterway). The data analysis used the Shannon-Wiener diversity index and priority for conservation determined by Ministry of Forestry Regulation Number: P.57 / Menhut-II / 2008. Fourty (40) species of butterflies belonging to 5 families identified. The diversity index (H ') of butterflies ranges from 2.63 to 3.43 (medium-high). The two species of the Papilionidae family found at TWA Suranadi, namely, Troides helena and Papilio memnon were the priority of conservation. This research would be helpful to consider conservation strategy and ecotourism.

Public Knowledge of Monarchs and Support for Butterfly Conservation

Pollinator populations in North America are in decline, including the iconic monarch butterfly. In order to determine if public knowledge of monarchs informs opinions on butterfly conservation, we surveyed the public to assess their knowledge of monarchs. We also asked participants about their attitudes towards general butterfly conservation and if they believe that butterfly gardens contribute to conservation. Respondents generally had some knowledge of monarchs but were unaware of monarch population declines and the necessity of milkweed to their life cycle. Respondent knowledge was correlated with more positive attitudes about butterfly conservation. Furthermore, membership in an environmental organization increased the likelihood that the participant had prior knowledge of monarchs and cared about monarch conservation. Respondent socioeconomic factors of age and sex were also significantly correlated with conservation attitudes—older and female participants had more positive attitudes towards general butterfly conservation. Interestingly, females were also less likely than males to admit having prior knowledge of monarchs, indicating that gender may also play an important role in conservation outreach efforts. Our study indicates that educational efforts need to be directed more toward individuals not already associated with an environmental organization as these individuals are predisposed to regard conservation positively.

The first red list of Italian butterflies

Abstract The Italian biodiversity is among the richest in Europe. In particular, the Italian butterfly fauna includes almost 300 native species, and within the Euro‐Mediterranean area is second in species richness only to Turkey. Italy, however, has suffered from the lack of suitable instruments to evaluate the extinction risk of individual butterfly species on the basis of internationally recognised standards. We have been working to create the first Italian Red List for butterflies. The achievement of this goal was divided into three actions: (i) the institution of a network of experts on butterfly conservation; (ii) the evaluation of the extinction risk for all Italian butterfly species; (iii) the integration of the baseline information provided by the Italian Red Lists of other taxa crucial for future evaluations of biodiversity trends in Italy. Assessments of extinction risks were based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria following their most updated guidelines and were discussed during workshops involving experts from different Italian regions. All native Italian butterflies were included in the evaluation. The whole national population of each species was evaluated, including those on large and small islands. Of 289 butterfly species assessed, one has become Regionally Extinct recently. Threatened species are 18 in total, corresponding to 6.3% of the species assessed. The majority of Italian butterfly populations are stable. The main threats to Italian butterflies are natural reforestation, as a consequence of rural land abandonment, agricultural intensification and climate change for species living at high altitude.

Something is missing at the bottom: Importance of coastal rainforests for conservation of trees, birds and butterflies in the Mount Cameroon area

Something is missing at the bottom: Importance of coastal rainforests for conservation of trees, birds and butterflies in the Mount Cameroon area

Enlightening Butterfly Conservation Efforts: The Importance of Natural Lighting for Butterfly Behavioral Ecology and Conservation.

Light is arguably the most important abiotic factor for living organisms. Organisms evolved under specific lighting conditions and their behavior, physiology, and ecology are inexorably linked to light. Understanding light effects on biology could not be more important as present anthropogenic effects are greatly changing the light environments in which animals exist. The two biggest anthropogenic contributors changing light environments are: (1) anthropogenic lighting at night (i.e., light pollution); and (2) deforestation and the built environment. I highlight light importance for butterfly behavior, physiology, and ecology and stress the importance of including light as a conservation factor for conserving butterfly biodiversity. This review focuses on four parts: (1) Introducing the nature and extent of light. (2) Visual and non-visual light reception in butterflies. (3) Implications of unnatural lighting for butterflies across several different behavioral and ecological contexts. (4). Future directions for quantifying the threat of unnatural lighting on butterflies and simple approaches to mitigate unnatural light impacts on butterflies. I urge future research to include light as a factor and end with the hopeful thought that controlling many unnatural light conditions is simply done by flipping a switch.

Local and landscape drivers of butterfly richness and abundance in a human-dominated area

In Europe, butterflies have declined over the last decades mainly because of the increasing urbanization and the agricultural intensification occurred in lowlands areas. Drivers of butterfly decline were identified in changes of both local scale habitat characteristics and landscape-scale land-use coverage. Thus, to counteract the negative trend of butterfly populations, management actions that simultaneously have an effect on local and landscape scale environments are needed.The present research was performed in northern Italy, in a human-dominated area of about 170 km2. From April to September 2014 and 2015, we surveyed butterflies in 494 50-m sections, grouped into 44 line transects. First, using a multi-scale GAMM, we analysed the simultaneous effect of local (nectar index, crop type, presence of woodlands and hedgerows and degree of shelter) and landscape (fractional cover in 500-m buffer of arable lands, meadows, woodlands and artificial surfaces) variables on butterfly richness and abundance. We evaluated the contribution of local and landscape variables by a variation partitioning approach. Second, we performed a GAMM to investigate the effect of specific management practices adopted in meadows, hedgerows and field margins on butterfly communities. Our results showed that the evaluation of the effect of local scale characteristics on butterfly communities definitely cannot disregard the landscape context. We thus suggest maintaining urban and agricultural areas alternated by a mosaic of nectar-rich land-covers, such as meadows and alfalfa, forest patches and hedgerows.Our study also allowed to formulate management guidelines of specific habitats. Accordingly, meadows should be managed by reducing the number of cuts, while wide herbaceous margins, characterised by a high grass layer rich in dicots, should be maintained in arable lands. To avoid a barrier effect and to guarantee the presence of a well-developed shrub layer, which provides high nectar resources, it is also necessary to avoid an excessive growth in hedgerows height. Results evidence that the adoption of these management guidelines and of a proper landscape planning strategy, can lead to play an important role in butterfly conservation even within human dominated areas.

日本産蝶類の衰亡と保護 第3集 : 内容紹介(日本鱗翅学会創立50周年記念・国際シンポジウム講演要旨)

日本産蝶類の衰亡と保護 第3集 : 内容紹介(日本鱗翅学会創立50周年記念・国際シンポジウム講演要旨)

草地・森林の変遷とチョウ類の保全( 草地と野生動物のかかわり)

草地・森林の変遷とチョウ類の保全( 草地と野生動物のかかわり)

EButterfly: Leveraging Massive Online Citizen Science for Butterfly Consevation.

Data collection, storage, analysis, visualization, and dissemination are changing rapidly due to advances in new technologies driven by computer science and universal access to the internet. These technologies and web connections place human observers front and center in citizen science-driven research and are critical in generating new discoveries and innovation in such fields as astronomy, biodiversity, and meteorology. Research projects utilizing a citizen science approach address scientific problems at regional, continental, and even global scales otherwise impossible for a single lab or even a small collection of academic researchers. Here we describe eButterfly an integrative checklist-based butterfly monitoring and database web-platform that leverages the skills and knowledge of recreational butterfly enthusiasts to create a globally accessible unified database of butterfly observations across North America. Citizen scientists, conservationists, policy makers, and scientists are using eButterfly data to better understand the biological patterns of butterfly species diversity and how environmental conditions shape these patterns in space and time. eButterfly in collaboration with thousands of butterfly enthusiasts has created a near real-time butterfly data resource producing tens of thousands of observations per year open to all to share and explore.

Species‐habitat relationships and ecological correlates of butterfly abundance in a transformed tropical landscape

AbstractTropical butterfly conservation strategies often focus on total and/or common species richness to assess the conservation value of a patch or habitat. However, such a strategy overlooks the unique dynamics of rare species. We evaluated the species‐habitat relationships of 209 common, intermediate, and rare butterfly species (including morphospecies) across four habitat types (mature, degraded, or fragmented forest, and urban parks) and two patch sizes (<400 ha, ≥400 ha) in Singapore. Common species richness was consistent across habitat types. Intermediate species richness declined by more than 50 percent in urban parks (relative to all forest habitats), and rare species richness was reduced by 50 percent in degraded and fragmented forest and by 90 percent in urban parks (relative to mature forest). Large patches had comparable overall richness to small patches, but they supported more rare species and three times as many habitat‐restricted species over a similar area. Importantly, a number of rare species were confined to single small patches. Mixed‐effects regression models were constructed to identify habitat and ecological/life history variables associated with butterfly abundance. These models revealed that species with greater habitat specialization, rare larval host plants, few larval host plant genera, and narrow global geographic ranges were more likely to be rare species. Overall, these results demonstrate that the richness of habitat‐restricted and rare species do not follow the same spatial distribution patterns as common species. Therefore, while conserving mature forests is key, effective butterfly conservation in a transformed landscape should take into account rare and habitat‐restricted species.

Flower use of the butterfly Maniola jurtina in nectar‐rich and nectar‐poor grasslands: a nectar generalist with a strong preference?

Abstract Butterflies are often considered as opportunistic nectar consumers that visit a range of flower species. The degree of specialisation in foraging behaviour and flower choice may, however, vary considerably at the inter‐specific level, from highly specialised to generalist species. In generalist nectar use, there can be intra‐specific variation in the availability and use of floral resources (diversity and abundance) among different populations. Knowing the preferences of nectar‐feeding butterflies can increase the understanding of ecological relationships and resource use and help in developing better strategies for butterfly conservation. By means of behavioural tracking, we identified foraging patterns of Maniola jurtina butterflies in nectar‐rich and nectar‐poor grasslands. For both males and females, we showed significant preference for the brown knapweed Centaurea jacea and thistles (Cirsium sp.) in nectar‐rich, extensively managed grasslands. In the absence of these preferred species, as is typically the case in nectar‐poor intensively managed sites, M. jurtina nectared on Trifolium pratense and Leucanthemum vulgare. Flower visits were on average shorter on T. pratense compared to C. jacea. These observational results were confirmed by a field experiment in which a wild flower nectar array with C. jacea and T. pratense was introduced. In extensively managed grasslands, foraging bouts were generally confined to patches of flowering plants and did not involve long flights between flower visits. In intensively managed meadows, butterflies performed longer flights, and ignored more flowers between two consecutive visits. Despite the variety of flower species visited, M. jurtina showed a significant preference for a few nectar sources in a context‐dependent way.

Diversity and composition of tropical butterflies along an Afromontane agricultural gradient in the Jimma Highlands, Ethiopia

AbstractAfromontane landscapes are typically characterized by a mosaic of smallholder farms and the biodiversity impacts of these practices will vary in accordance to local management and landscape context. Here, we assess how tropical butterfly diversity is maintained across an agricultural landscape in the Jimma Highlands of Ethiopia. We used transect surveys to sample understory butterfly communities within degraded natural forest, semi‐managed coffee forest (SMCF), exotic timber plantations, open woodland, croplands and pasture. Surveys were conducted in 29 one‐hectare plots and repeated five times between January and June 2013. We found that natural forest supports higher butterfly diversity than all agricultural plots (measured with Hill's numbers). SMCF and timber plantations retain relatively high abundance and diversity, but these metrics drop off sharply in open woodland, cropland and pasture. SMCF and timber plantations share the majority of their species with natural forest and support an equivalent abundance of forest‐dependent species, with no increase in widespread species. There was some incongruence in the responses of families and sub‐families, notably that Lycaenidae are strongly associated with open woodland and pasture. Adult butterflies clearly utilize forested agricultural practices such as SMCF and timber plantations, but species diversity declines steeply with distance from natural forest suggesting that earlier life‐stages may depend on host plants and/or microclimatic conditions that are lost under agricultural management. From a management perspective, the protection of natural forest remains a priority for tropical butterfly conservation, but understanding functioning of the wider landscape mosaic is important as SMCF and timber plantations may act as habitat corridors that facilitate movement between forest fragments.

The cost-effective length of contracts for payments to compensate land owners for biodiversity conservation measures

Payments to compensate land owners for land use measures which are beneficial to biodiversity conservation but costly to them have become a prominent policy instrument. A key question in the design of such payment schemes is for how long the land owners shall commit themselves to carry out biodiversity-enhancing land use measures, i.e. the length of contracts. From an ecological perspective, longer contracts seem better as they ensure that an area stays a suitable habitat for a longer time. However, with longer contracts land owners are likely to demand a higher annual compensation payment if they give up for a longer time their right to manage their land in a way they prefer. We analyse with a conceptual ecological-economic model how the cost-effectiveness of short versus long contract lengths depends on different ecological and economic parameters. We demonstrate the practical relevance of the model by applying it to the case of butterfly conservation in a region in Germany. Our results suggest that for the case study a 5-year contract is more cost-effective than a 10-year contract. Overall, we find that when deciding about the contract length economic parameters (for example the budget size where high budgets favour long contract lengths) and ecological parameters (for example species colonisation rates where high rates favour short contract lengths) need to be considered.

Contributions of Citizen Scientists and Habitat Volunteers to Monarch Butterfly Conservation

ABSTRACTVolunteers can contribute to wildlife conservation by protecting and restoring habitat, or by collecting citizen science data. Much remains unknown about how citizen scientists contribute to conservation beyond data collection, or the extent that volunteering with citizen science or habitat conservation is associated with increased participation in other forms of conservation. We surveyed citizen science and habitat volunteers from monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) programs. Both types of volunteers conducted conservation outreach and created and managed monarch habitat. Habitat volunteers were more likely to create new habitat for monarchs in urban or suburban areas, whereas citizen scientists were more likely to maintain existing habitat in rural areas. Most volunteers increased their participation in conservation after joining a formal monarch project. Our results provide information about the capacity for habitat volunteers to engage in conservation, as well as evidence of an unexplored benefit of citizen science, the creation and protection of habitat.

Quality of citizen science data and its consequences for the conservation of skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) in Flanders (northern Belgium)

Citizen science projects have become important data sources for ecologists. However, opportunistic data are not only characterized by spatial and temporal biases, but probably also contain species identification errors, especially concerning morphologically similar species. Such misidentifications may result in wrongly estimated distribution ranges and trends, and thus in inadequate conservation measures. We illustrate this issue with three skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) in Flanders (northern Belgium) using photographs uploaded with observations in data portals. Ochlodes sylvanus and Thymelicus lineola records had relatively low identification error rates (1 and 11 %, respectively), but the majority (59 %) of Thymelicus sylvestris records turned out to be misidentified. Using verified records only allowed us to model their distribution more accurately, especially for T. sylvestris whose actual distribution area had hitherto been strongly overestimated. An additional field study on T. sylvestris confirmed the species distribution model output as the species was almost completely restricted to sites with verified records and was largely absent from sites with unverified records. The preference of T. sylvestris for unimproved grasslands was confirmed by the negative correlation between its model-predicted presence and elevated nitrogen and ammonia levels. Thus, quality control of citizen science data is of major importance to improve the knowledge of species distribution ranges, biotope preferences and other limiting factors. This, in turn, will help to better assess species conservation statuses and to suggest more appropriate management and mitigation measures.

U.K. butterfly population on the decline

The U.K. witnessed its largest decline ever this year in the number of butterflies observed during its annual summer butterfly count. Data from the environmental group Butterfly Conservation show that more than half of the 20 butterfly species monitored in the U.K. have declined since last year, including the peacock butterfly shown here. The group says habitat destruction, climate change, and pesticides are all involved.

Handicraft of butterflies and moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in Bantimurung Nature Recreation Park and its implications on conservation

Putri IASLP. 2016 Handicraft of butterflies and moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in Bantimurung Nature Recreation Park and itsimplications on conservation. Biodiversitas 17: 823-831. The abundance of butterflies in Bantimurung Nature Recreation Park of Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, South Sulawesi, Indonesia provides economic benefits to the community through butterfly’s handicrafts trading. This study aims to determine local species of commodified butterfly that are traded in various forms of craft and its implications for the conservation of butterflies. The study was conducted through the direct identification of butterfly species which are sold as crafts or deposited directly by the catchers to collectors. Data of commodified butterfly were collected using direct interviews.Data were analyzed by descriptive quantitative and qualitative. The results showed that there are 142 species of butterfly which are traded in the period of 2010-2015. The seller participants on butterfly handicrafts consist of the butterfly catchers, middlemen, craftsmen, stall employee, stall employers, and street vendors. The buyer participants consist of local tourists, tourists from outside district/province, traders from outside district/province, buyers from overseas and scientists or butterfly collectors. The butterfly price range was in between Rp. 500.00-Rp. 150,000.00/head at collectors’ level. The butterfly selling prices increased up to Rp. 7,500.00-Rp. 1,000,000.00 when they were processed into various souvenirs forms. Considering that there were so many traded butterfly souvenirs in the market, it raised an impression that there were more butterflies trapped for souvenir than free-living butterfly escaped from the trap. Commodification of butterflies needs to be regulated by setting the butterflies harvesting quota based on population in nature, sex, season and age (especially for female butterfly), accompanied by socializing rules of law, increasing public awareness about the importance of conservation butterflies, and creating new jobs for the people who depend on the butterflies trading.