Lupinus Perennis Research Articles

Butterfly blues: population genetic assessment of wild lupine (Lupinus perennis L.) in endangered Karner blue butterfly habitat around central-west Michigan

Habitat degradation can have significant effects on native species inhabiting natural ecosystems. Within oak barrens and oak–pine barrens ecosystems, there is a complex interspecies interaction between the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly ( Lycaeides melissa samuelis) and its obligate host plant, wild lupine ( Lupinus perennis L.). Recruitment of wild lupine is critical for maintaining butterfly populations; however, this recruitment can be impeded by habitat fragmentation. Reduced recruitment can result in low genetic diversity in isolated populations, limiting its adaptive potential to respond to environmental change. This study was aimed at understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of wild lupine populations throughout central and west Michigan. We identified significant population structure across most of the populations sampled, with only two sites not significantly different from each other. No sites within our study area displayed statistically significant levels of inbreeding. There are also at least two genetic clusters of wild lupine present within our study region, although there is significant overlap among these groups, indicating that genetic differentiation among clusters may be limited.

Nitrate effects on N2 fixation, growth and feed quality of lucerne and perennial lupin

The effects of NO3– supply (0–500 kg N/ha) on total plant dry weight (DW), shoot N content and nutritional quality, and the proportion of plant N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) were determined for lucerne and perennial lupin using 15NO3– under glasshouse conditions. Fodder beet was used as a non-legume control plant. The experiment was repeated. In both the initial and repeat experiments, total plant DW, shoot N% and shoot nutritional quality for lucerne and perennial lupin were not affected by NO3– supply. Total plant DW increased 10-fold and shoot N% tripled for fodder beet with increased N supply. In the initial experiment, the %Ndfa for lucerne decreased from 89 to 37% with increased N supply from 0 to 500 kg N/ha: comparable values for perennial lupin were 96 to 64%. In the repeat experiment, %Ndfa decreased from 90 to 49% and 93 to 65% for lucerne and perennial lupin, respectively, with increased NO3– supply from 0 to 500 kg N/ha. Both legumes showed an increased reliance on NO3– with increased soil NO3– level, but even at 500 kg N/ha (similar to N in sheep urine patch) perennial lupin obtained much of its N from N2 fixation.

A review of legume research and extension in New Zealand (1990–2022)

Legumes have underpinned transformational change on New Zealand sheep and beef farms over the last 30 years. This was through an emphasis on ewe nutrition based on lucerne or red clover dominant pastures, and increased use of subterranean and white clovers on uncultivatable hill country. Pre- and post-weaning lamb growth rates have increased, and enabled earlier slaughter of heavier lambs. The farm systems results include greater numbers of hoggets mated, higher lambing percentages and greater ewe efficiency (kg lamb weaned/kg ewe mated). Extension packages to support legume use have compared growth rates of resident and legume-based pastures, economic analyses of successful farms and management packages for the most appropriate legume in different environments. Over the same period, the dairy industry rapidly expanded in cow numbers and area onto flat irrigated land on the Canterbury Plains. The nitrogen deficiency of perennial ryegrass was overcome by a linear increase in nitrogen fertiliser use. Environmental concerns from this intensification has led to a legislated nitrogen cap of 190 kg/ha.year. This, coupled with a recent trebling in urea price, has returned attention to increasing the white clover content of these pastures. Nitrogen applications can be minimised by using diverse pastures sown with a legume, herb and <8 kg/ha of perennial ryegrass. Work on other legumes, including annuals and those with condensed tannins, has to date failed to increase their use in most pastoral settings, with the exception of the perennial lupin which is adapted to high-aluminium soils in the South Island High Country.

An experimental translocation of the imperiled frosted elfin (Callophrys irus)

Here we present the first in-situ translocation of frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) caterpillars. The frosted elfin is rare and declining over much of its range with many extant populations separated by large expanses of unsuitable habitat. The development of translocation techniques will be necessary to facilitate dispersal to aid in future conservation practices. We translocated frosted elfin caterpillars (n = 20) among three patches within the Apalachicola National Forest that contained the host plant, sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis). Patches differed in their distances to other occupied sites: two translocations spanned 0.07 km and two spanned 2.71 km. Translocated caterpillars were marked with ultraviolet-fluorescent powder to aid in tracking individuals and their movements. Translocated caterpillars continued to feed and develop during six days of monitoring post-release. Although we did not observe any direct mortality, individuals were lost at a rate of two per day (β = − 1.82 ± 0.14 SE; p < 0.01). We believe the failure to detect marked caterpillars occurred when individuals molted, moved away to pupate, or were possibly predated. Of those remaining, three were observed pupated at their translocation site indicating developmental progress was not affected by translocation. Future efforts to develop successful translocation techniques for the frosted elfin should focus more on monitoring individuals post-release to assess the impact of caterpillar movement and predation. Here we outline a potential translocation method for use in recovering populations of imperiled frosted elfin butterflies. While some success was observed for translocated caterpillars, more focused monitoring post-release will verify the effectiveness of this method for future use.

Restoration on Private Lands: A Case Study Examining Vegetation Recruitment following Restoration Treatments in an Oak-pine Barrens Ecosystem in Western Michigan, U.S.A.

Oak-pine barrens ecosystems provide critical habitat for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), an herbaceous perennial in this ecosystem is the only food source for the butterfly's larvae. The range and quality of these ecosystems have declined significantly. Restoration in private lands can be key to expanding these habitats, but often there is limited or no follow-up to assess the recovery of the site following restoration treatments. We conducted a case study in a private property in Newaygo County, Michigan for which prescribed fire had been implemented every 2 y from 2007 through 2011 to promote recruitment of key understory vegetation, but there had been no follow-up recovery assessment. The burn treatment consisted of a section that was not burned, one that was burned twice, and one that was burned three times. We collected data on vegetation groups and site related factors along this fire gradient to examine differences as a function of fire frequency, as well as delineate factors driving patterns of understory plant recruitment. Results show little tree recruitment from seedlings, but high densities of tree saplings recruited via resprouting. Estimated cover of lupine was low across all treatments, whereas Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica Lam,) was highest among species in both cover and biomass. Lupine exhibited a negative relationship with Pennsylvania sedge, litter, and sprouted tree saplings, but a positive relationship with moss cover. We make recommendations for additional restoration interventions and highlight the need for continued support of private landowners as they engage in conservation of imperiled species.

Restoration on Private Lands: A Case Study Examining Vegetation Recruitment following Restoration Treatments in an Oak-pine Barrens Ecosystem in Western Michigan, U.S.A.

Oak-pine barrens ecosystems provide critical habitat for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), an herbaceous perennial in this ecosystem is the only food source for the butterfly's larvae. The range and quality of these ecosystems have declined significantly. Restoration in private lands can be key to expanding these habitats, but often there is limited or no follow-up to assess the recovery of the site following restoration treatments. We conducted a case study in a private property in Newaygo County, Michigan for which prescribed fire had been implemented every 2 y from 2007 through 2011 to promote recruitment of key understory vegetation, but there had been no follow-up recovery assessment. The burn treatment consisted of a section that was not burned, one that was burned twice, and one that was burned three times. We collected data on vegetation groups and site related factors along this fire gradient to examine differences as a function of fire frequency, as well as delineate factors driving patterns of understory plant recruitment. Results show little tree recruitment from seedlings, but high densities of tree saplings recruited via resprouting. Estimated cover of lupine was low across all treatments, whereas Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica Lam,) was highest among species in both cover and biomass. Lupine exhibited a negative relationship with Pennsylvania sedge, litter, and sprouted tree saplings, but a positive relationship with moss cover. We make recommendations for additional restoration interventions and highlight the need for continued support of private landowners as they engage in conservation of imperiled species.

Resource segregation at fine spatial scales explains Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) distribution

The resource concentration hypothesis predicts that herbivorous insect density scales positively with plant density because insects are better able to identify, and remain longer in, patches with denser plant resources. While some studies support this hypothesis, others do not. Different explanations have been proposed for this discrepancy, including variation in insect dispersal ability and diet breadth. We test the resource concentration hypothesis using the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a specialist that relies on wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis) as its sole host plant. We extended this hypothesis to test whether Karner blue density also scales positively with nectar plant resources. Our findings did not support the resource concentration hypothesis and demonstrate that the spatial segregation of nectar and host plant resources relative to each other can influence the location and abundance of Karner blues on the landscape. This is because the location of resources relative to each other influences the energy and time butterflies expend for flight activity, and thereby influences resource acquisition. During early summer when first brood Karner blues emerge, nectar and host plants were spatially segregated, and Karner blue density peaked at intermediate densities of nectar and host plants occurring at ratios approximately equal to 1:1. During late summer, we found no significant relationships between second brood Karner blues and nectar plants or host plants when there was no correlation between nectar and host plants. Conservation practitioners of specialist insects with low vagility can strategically manage the distribution of plant resources to minimize insect time and energy expenditure and promote resource acquisition for all of an insect’s life stages.

Clover Stem Borer Infestation in Sundial Lupine: Recognition and Consequences

The clover stem borer (CSB; Languria mozardi) is a native North American beetle whose larvae develop inside the stems of a broad range of herbaceous host plants, including sundial lupines (Lupinus perennis). Sundial lupine is an imperiled species in many of the jurisdictions where it occurs, and three rare butterfly species depend on it as a larval host plant. As such, sundial lupines are the focus of many conservation projects. Larval damage to the inside of lupine stems reduces pod production, and is thus a threat to the long-term health of lupine populations. Infestations tend to go unnoticed, partly because so much of the insect's life cycle is spent inside the plant stem. Our description of field indicators is intended to help professionals working on lupine conservation projects recognize CSB activity. In Maryland, sites infested with CSB are connected to the anthropogenic meadow network, whereas sites that are not infested are separated from it by a forest buffer.

Evidence of an extreme weather‐induced phenological mismatch and a local extirpation of the endangered Karner blue butterfly

AbstractIn 2011, an experiment was undertaken to examine spring synchrony between the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) (Kbb) and its obligate host plant, wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis) at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (INDU), where the southernmost population of Kbb occurred at the time of this study. From 2012 to 2014, field‐placed Kbb eggs were observed for larvae hatching in conjunction with observations of lupine emergence in oak savanna habitat. In 2012, 61% of Kbb hatched when &lt;5% of lupine had emerged due to an extreme early spring event as compared to subsequent years where temporal overlap was &gt;15% between Kbb and lupine. Laboratory experiments testing the sensitivity of Kbb hatching to warm temperatures during the winter of 2011–2012 confirmed that Kbb eggs were susceptible to temperature‐induced hatching. In the summer of 2012, second generation Kbb larvae feeding on sun‐exposed lupine had higher mortality due to the heat and drought conditions that resulted in earlier plant senescence. Following 2012, Kbb were no longer observed at INDU. This observation illustrates the pressing need for adaptive management strategies that account for extreme weather events brought on by climate change.

Investigation of biomorphological and decorative characteristics of ornamental species of the genus Lupinus L.

In the Podillya area, the most promising for greening different objects is the Lupine perennis L. and Lupine Polyphyllus Lindl. For creation of modern garden compositions of the park zone of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University the most appropriate are the varieties: Lulu-Russell, Minaret, Albus, Fireworks, which were well adapted to the growing conditions, were practically not affected by pests and diseases, were sufficiently resistant to environmental conditions. According to the flowering phase study, it was found that the highest flowering duration was observed in perennial lupine plants. In determining the suitability of the plants studied by us for their use in landscaping, their assessment of the complex of economic and biological indicators in accordance with the State Methodology of Variety Testing was carried out. Their high score on a set of criteria testifies to the prospect and suitability for cultivation in Podillia conditions, as well as the value for different uses: flower beds, ridges, mixboards, landscape type compositions and their smaller variants imitating natural groups.

Relationships Among Population Size, Environmental Factors, and Reproduction in Lupinus perennis (Fabaceae)

Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is an indicator of Midwestern U.S.A. oak savannas and the main larval food for endangered Karner Blue butterflies. In the past 100 y, this perennial has declined in distribution and abundance. To determine if this decline was related to population size and/or environmental factors and to better understand patterns of reproduction, we compared frequencies of seed coat colors, seed production variables, and environmental factors among 16 populations ranging in size from 25 to 8300 plants. Seedlings were germinated in the greenhouse to measure early offspring vigor. A seed color/substrate field experiment examined differences in seed removal to look at predation risk. Higher seed production was associated with increased population size, while fewer seeds per fruit were associated with increased bare ground, and higher fruits per stem and seed mass were found as soil pH increased. Although seedling emergence declined with increased bare ground, seedling growth was most correlated with pH and light, but not population size. Small populations had reduced seed color variation. Seed removal rates averaged 65% across all treatments, but dark-colored seeds had higher predation than light-colored seeds, regardless of substrate. Seed removal increased over time and was influenced by vegetative cover and distance to roads and water. Our results suggest managers should minimize the amount of bare ground and strive to maintain population sizes over 500 in order to restore and conserve Lupine populations.

Habitat Preference and Phenology of Nest Seeking and Foraging Spring Bumble Bee Queens in Northeastern North America (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus)

Bumble bees are among the most abundant and important wild pollinators in North America. Spring nest establishment is a brief and vulnerable stage in the colony life cycle that is poorly understood. Bumble bee nesting activity in temperate North America has received little recent attention, and this knowledge gap is a barrier to conservation efforts. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitat use, nesting phenology, and key food plants of spring bumble bee queens. Through 108 nonlethal surveys of bumble bee queens in spring 2018, researchers observed 451 nest seeking and 555 foraging queens of nine species in Ohio, U.S.A. Spring queen activity began in mid-April and peaked in mid-May, although nest seekers were observed into late June. Nest seeking queens favored woody transitional habitats over open habitats. In accordance queen abundance and diversity increased with the proportion of forest in the surrounding landscape. The proportion of row crops and urban areas negatively influenced queen diversity and the number of nest seekers, respectively. Through a literature review, the earliest emergence dates for each species were compared for 12 datasets to establish an order of species emergence in northeastern North America. Forty-seven species of flowering plants were used by foraging queens. Highly visited food plants included both native and nonnatives(*): Lupinus perennis, Malus spp., Taraxacum officinale*, Lonicera spp.*, Lamium purpureum*, Glechoma hederacea*, Trifolium pratense*, and Mertensia virginica. Systematic field surveys are needed by state to document the timing of spring queen emergence and nesting activities to inform conservation efforts.

Biological soil crusts inhibit seed germination in a temperate pine barren ecosystem.

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are known to affect plants’ germination and seedling establishment in arid ecosystems, but their ecological role in more mesic climates is not so well-known. We tested the effects of moss-crusted versus uncrusted soils on seed germination dynamics in a temperate pine barren ecosystem. We conducted a 35-day laboratory assay of seed germination on moss-crusted soils versus uncrusted soils from the Albany (NY) Pine Bush Preserve. We compared total seed germination and the number of days to 50% of total germination of two herbaceous perennial forb species in each soil type. Three and five times more seeds germinated on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil for bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), respectively. Seeds of both species also germinated approximately 10 days earlier on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil. This study, and others in similar habitats, show that BSCs in mesic climates can influence germination and other early life-history stages of plants. We hope that further study of the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants in mesic climates will contribute to our understanding of the ecology of BSCs outside the arid and semiarid climates where they are more extensively studied.

Formation of erosion resistance of gray forest soils in the conditions of Carpathian region

Aim. To study the impact of perennial grasses mixtures on the formation of erosion resistance of gray forest soils of different degradation degree and their unmodifi ed analogues in conditions of long-term permanent experiment. Methods. Field, laboratory, assessment and comparison. Results. It was established that lupine- cereal grass mixtures increased erosion resistance of slope soils considerably within fi fteen years. The sum of soil structural aggregates was improved from satisfactory into good category. There were positive changes in the number of water-resistant aggregates as well. The studies confi rmed a positive impact of legume-grasses on the density and porosity of soil. Soil density was the lowest when the slope was laid down in perennial lupine and its mixture with cereal grasses. The intensifi cation of soil erosion and the approximation of the illuvial horizon level to the surface resulted in the compaction of upper soil layers to 1.29–1.44 g/cc. General porosity of soil correlated with its density which did not exceed optimal values in poorly eroded soils in upper layers. The studies proved the impact of the ways of laying down the slope in grass and the level of soil degradation on its humidity and water permeability. In the experiment conditions, the increase in soil degradation led to the decrease in its moisture. The decrease in the content of humidity in crop fi eld took place at the expense of higher intensity of the growth and water consumption of lupine-cereal grasses in comparison with natural mixed herbs, especially in the periods with a small amount of precipitation. The difference in the upper soil layers was in the range of 0.2–0.5 %. It was established that the highest values of soil water permeability were formed on lupine-cereal grass mixtures in all the variants of degraded soils. Conclusions. Laying down slope lands in perennial lupine in combination with cereal grasses promotes the formation of their higher resistance to erosion processes and restoration of fertility. Perennial legume-cereal mixtures ensure the improvement of structural-aggregate state, total density and porosity of soil, enhance its water supply and water permeability.

Effects of perennial (‘Russell’) lupins on soil nitrogen and carbon in acid high-country soils

Many high-country soils in the South Island have low soil pH and high exchangeable Al concentrations, limiting establishment and persistence of pasture and forage legumes. Perennial lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) is able to grow in acidic soil (pH&lt;5.6) with high levels of exchangeable Al (Al&gt;3ppm, 0.01 CaCl2) toxic to most other legumes. This study examined the effects of perennial lupin stands of varying ages on soil nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) concentrations (0-15 cm). Eight lupin sites, varying in age, and neighbouring long-term pasture sites were soil sampled and analysed for N and C concentrations. Sites planted with perennial lupin had significantly (P&lt;0.001) higher total soil N (%) and soil mineralisable N (kg/ha) compared to adjacent pasture soils at the eight sites. Soil N status also declined with increasing soil depth in both lupin and pasture soils linked with plant residue accumulation in the topsoil. Soil N level generally increased with increasing lupin stand age (P&lt;0.001), though the oldest (30 years) site did not fit this trend. This study provides strong evidence that lupins substantially increase soil total and labile soil N. Results indicate that perennial lupins may be a suitable and important species to develop poor quality soils on South Island high-country farms.

Значение различных паров в изменении плотности светло-серой лесной почвы и урожайности культур севооборота

The study was carried out in the Nizhny Novgorod region on light-gray forest soil in the period from 2011 to 2014. Factor А - fallows: bare fallows (unmanured, manure - 40 t/ha); green fallows (lupine, clover, rape), seeded fallows (clover, vetch oats, rape) with aftermath for green manure. Factor B - mineral fertilizers: phosphorus-potassium (Р90К90), nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N60Р90К90). During the research it has been established, that the highest biomass by natural moisture was obtained in green fallow of perennial lupine on the background of P90K90 and on the background of N60P90K90 - 43.42 and 46.05 t/ha respectively. Plowing it into the soil had a positive effect on the soil density. In the soil under winter wheat (renewal of vegetation) density value in the 0-10 cm layer was 1.27 g/cm 3 , which is 0.13 g/cm 3 lower than for bare fallow. The decompressing effect of green clover fallow was preserved after wheat harvesting. The determination of soil density in oat plantings (the second crop after fallows) indicated a positive influence of the plowing organic mass of all studied fallow crops and the creation of optimal density for growth and development of oat (1.1-1.3 g/cm 3 ). The green manure mass of meadow clover had the most significant decompressing aftereffect. The yield recording showed that the greatest amount of winter wheat grains was obtained from sowing it on green lupine fallow (on the P90K90 background - 3.05 t/ha, on the N60P90K90 background - 4.66 t/ha); and oat grains from manure aftereffect - 40 t/ha (3.80 and 4.50 t/ha respectively, depending on the background). The correlation analysis showed that the yield productivity of plants in crop rotation more depended on the amount of the plowed organic mass of fallow crops, than on the soil density. The density of soil, in turn, depended on the amount of organic matter, entering the soil with the fallow crops.

Patterns of microhabitat and larval host-plant use by an imperiled butterfly in northern Florida

The quality of habitat for a given species is fundamental to its persistence in that habitat space. Herbivorous insects often require a specific combination of host plants, floral resources, and physical features such as shelter. Identifying these different habitat features is a focus of ecology and conservation, particularly for managing rare or imperiled taxa. We investigated the patterns of microhabitat and host plant use of the rare frosted elfin butterfly, Callophrys irus, a larval host-plant specialist found in frequently disturbed sand plains, barrens, and sandhill pine-oak forests of the eastern United States. Previous studies have been conducted on populations in the Northeastern and Midwestern US, but the southern part of its range remains unstudied. Our efforts focused on a persistent C. irus colony in northeastern Florida, resulting in a geographically referenced census of larval host-plant Lupinus perennis, along with a multiple year survey of microhabitat features relevant to both C. irus adults and immatures. Results of the larval host-plant census revealed that the highest densities of host plants were located distant to the highest densities of C. irus. Hot-spot analysis confirmed the significance of this pattern, suggesting different habitat requirements for larval host-plant L. perennis and C. irus individuals in order to achieve maximum potential densities. Our survey of C. irus immatures showed a similar pattern of microhabitat affinity that was previously recorded in the Northeast and Midwestern US, including large larval host-plants, low amounts of ground cover vegetation, and the presence of some shade. Unique to our study we found that the presence of other herbivores of L. perennis such as larvae of the crambid moth Uresiphita reversalis had a negative effect on encountering C. irus immatures. Our results suggest that management that aims to conserve these species needs to include habitat factors that favor the overlap of these species and to consider where their densities are the highest.

Community-Level Impacts of Management and Disturbance in Western Michigan Oak Savannas

Abstract Midwestern oak savanna systems are typically defined by their open canopy and the co-existence of scattered mature oak trees and a ground layer dominated by herbaceous vegetation. The structure of these systems is thought to be primarily maintained by disturbance such as fire. In this study we examined the plant community of 21 different oak savanna sites in western Lower Michigan, U.S.A., across a coarse disturbance gradient created by different management practices. Herbaceous community composition differed significantly across a variety of management approaches, while overall diversity remained similar. Indicator species analysis (ISA) identified several species commonly associated with mixed oak forest understories (e.g., Maianthemum canadense) as indicators for recently abandoned oak savanna sites, whereas the indicators identified for managed or heavily disturbed sites included common savanna-associates (e.g., Lupinus perennis). Variation in soil characteristics (C:N ratio and pH) and canop...

Response of native plants to elevated soil nitrogen in the sand dunes of Lake Michigan, USA

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) has been reported to reduce the diversity of plant species in N-limited soil. The sand dunes along the southern shore of Lake Michigan have been N-limited historically but receive substantial amount of N from the atmosphere currently. We investigated the effect of N-addition to soil on seed germination rates and species composition of nine native plants. In the greenhouse, the ambient addition (15kgNha−1yr−1) enhanced the germination of Elymus canadensis and Echinacea purpurea, while the 9× ambient N addition reduced seed germination of Dalea purpurea and Elymus. However, regardless the results from greenhouse, these species exhibited no or poor emergence in the field plots. Panicum virgatum was the only species whose germination was promoted significantly by the ambient addition in the greenhouse and also emerged in the field plots in the early years (2010−2012), but its dominance diminished during 2013–2014. The decline of Panicum suggests a failure of establishment and reproduction after germination. Such failure has likely led to reduction or exhaustion of viable seeds in soil. Meanwhile, the species that showed relatively low germination rates (<20%) in the greenhouse, such as Lupinus perennis, Monarda punctata and Schizachyrium scoparium, established substantially in the field plots. Also in the field plots, soil with elevated-N (3×, 5× and 9× ambient) appeared to favor grass over forb species. Dominance of grass over forb species has led to a reduction in species diversity and divergence of species composition between the ambient and elevated-N plots.

The Relationship Between Ants and Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) at Concord Pine Barrens, NH, USA.

The Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a federally listed, endangered species that has experienced dramatic decline over its historic range. In surviving populations, Karner blue butterflies have a facultative mutualism with ants that could be critically important to their survival where their populations are threatened by habitat loss or disturbance. In this study, we investigated the effects of ants, wild blue lupine population status (native or restored), and fire on adult Karner blue butterfly abundance at the Concord Pine Barrens, NH, USA. Ant frequency (the number of times we collected each ant species in our pitfall traps) was higher in restored than native lupine treatments regardless of burn status during both Karner blue butterfly broods, and the trend was statistically significant during the second brood. We observed a positive relationship between adult Karner blue butterfly abundance and ant frequency during the first brood, particularly on native lupine, regardless of burn treatment. During the second brood, adult Karner blue butterfly abundance and ant frequency were not significantly correlated in any treatments or their combinations. Our findings suggest that a combination of native and restored lupine is important for supporting both Karner blue butterflies and ants at the Concord Pine Barrens, and that burning does not affect the mutualism. Thus, scientists and managers at the site may wish to target their habitat management activities to best support both Karner blue butterflies and the particular ant species that provide the greatest benefit to their survival.