The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management
Previous work suggests that submergence of Lycaena dispar larvae during overwintering may play a significant role in this butterfly's population dynamics. Since potential re-introduction sites in eastern England are prone to regular seasonal flooding, we further studied the species' submer...
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Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
2003-03-01
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doaj-6d240cb207684a15a6414d864f62c7202021-04-16T20:33:32ZengInstitute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of ScienceEuropean Journal of Entomology1210-57591802-88292003-03-011001657210.14411/eje.2003.014eje-200301-0014The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration managementColin N. NICHOLLS0Andrew S. PULLIN1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UKSchool of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UKPrevious work suggests that submergence of Lycaena dispar larvae during overwintering may play a significant role in this butterfly's population dynamics. Since potential re-introduction sites in eastern England are prone to regular seasonal flooding, we further studied the species' submergence tolerance with a view to formulating management protocols conducive to larval survivorship under periodic flood conditions. Simulated flooding regimes using captive-reared larvae showed that enforced submergence has a twofold effect: firstly, a direct increase in mortality after 28 days under water and, secondly, a longer term, post-diapause increase in mortality; manifest either as an inability of larvae to resume feeding, or a failure to complete development. Additionally, there was a marked difference in the response of "early" and "late" diapause larvae; the latter generally succumbing after shorter periods under water, and suffering higher total mortalities. Behavioural investigations suggest that, if afforded the opportunity, diapausing larvae can evade submergence by climbing onto the exposed sections of partially flooded host plants. Significantly, survival on partially flooded plants was found to be comparable to that on unflooded controls. Further re-introductions of L. dispar in the U.K. will probably necessitate a direct translocation of wild Dutch stock. As the flood tolerance of this source population remains largely undetermined, and given that re-introduction site hydrology will be generally unamenable to conservation-oriented manipulation, it is recommended that restoration management be directed towards creating structural diversity in the vegetation of overwintering habitats, thereby providing potential "flood refugia" for hibernating larvae.https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200301-0014_The_effects_of_flooding_on_survivorship_in_overwintering_larvae_of_the_large_copper_butterfly_Lycaena_dispar_ba.phpbutterflylycaena dispar batavuslarvaeoverwinteringfloodingsubmergencerestorationbroadland |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Colin N. NICHOLLS Andrew S. PULLIN |
spellingShingle |
Colin N. NICHOLLS Andrew S. PULLIN The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management European Journal of Entomology butterfly lycaena dispar batavus larvae overwintering flooding submergence restoration broadland |
author_facet |
Colin N. NICHOLLS Andrew S. PULLIN |
author_sort |
Colin N. NICHOLLS |
title |
The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management |
title_short |
The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management |
title_full |
The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management |
title_fullStr |
The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management |
title_full_unstemmed |
The effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar batavus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management |
title_sort |
effects of flooding on survivorship in overwintering larvae of the large copper butterfly lycaena dispar batavus (lepidoptera: lycaenidae), and its possible implications for restoration management |
publisher |
Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science |
series |
European Journal of Entomology |
issn |
1210-5759 1802-8829 |
publishDate |
2003-03-01 |
description |
Previous work suggests that submergence of Lycaena dispar larvae during overwintering may play a significant role in this butterfly's population dynamics. Since potential re-introduction sites in eastern England are prone to regular seasonal flooding, we further studied the species' submergence tolerance with a view to formulating management protocols conducive to larval survivorship under periodic flood conditions. Simulated flooding regimes using captive-reared larvae showed that enforced submergence has a twofold effect: firstly, a direct increase in mortality after 28 days under water and, secondly, a longer term, post-diapause increase in mortality; manifest either as an inability of larvae to resume feeding, or a failure to complete development. Additionally, there was a marked difference in the response of "early" and "late" diapause larvae; the latter generally succumbing after shorter periods under water, and suffering higher total mortalities. Behavioural investigations suggest that, if afforded the opportunity, diapausing larvae can evade submergence by climbing onto the exposed sections of partially flooded host plants. Significantly, survival on partially flooded plants was found to be comparable to that on unflooded controls. Further re-introductions of L. dispar in the U.K. will probably necessitate a direct translocation of wild Dutch stock. As the flood tolerance of this source population remains largely undetermined, and given that re-introduction site hydrology will be generally unamenable to conservation-oriented manipulation, it is recommended that restoration management be directed towards creating structural diversity in the vegetation of overwintering habitats, thereby providing potential "flood refugia" for hibernating larvae. |
topic |
butterfly lycaena dispar batavus larvae overwintering flooding submergence restoration broadland |
url |
https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200301-0014_The_effects_of_flooding_on_survivorship_in_overwintering_larvae_of_the_large_copper_butterfly_Lycaena_dispar_ba.php |
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