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Host plant preference in the protected myrmecophilous Transylvanian Blue (Pseudophilotes bavius hungarica) butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and its relationship with potential ant partners

Német, Enikő and Czekes, Zsolt and Markó, Bálint and Rákosy, László (2016) Host plant preference in the protected myrmecophilous Transylvanian Blue (Pseudophilotes bavius hungarica) butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and its relationship with potential ant partners. Journal of Insect Conservation. pp. 1-8. ISSN 1572-9753

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Abstract

When selecting specifc host plants, caterpillars of many lycaenid butterflies, such as the protected Pseudophilotes bavius hungarica, are known to engage in various interactions with ants, which help them survive. Although P. bavius is a protected species, data about its host plant selection is very scarce, and little information is available on its myrmecophilous relationships. Our aim was to identify the host plant characteristics that determine the occurrence of the caterpillar and to clarify the specifcity of its myrmecophily. We conducted a series of feld surveys regarding host plant characteristics. Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the nature of interactions between the caterpillar and its potential ant partners. Control experiments involving non-visiting ants were also performed. On the basis of our fndings, the physical characteristics of host plants do not seem to influence host plant choice, but the absence of aphids and the presence of different ant species proved important. According to the results of behavioural assays, neutral reactions to the caterpillars were recorded in the case of ant species that regularly visited the host plant (Lasius paralienus, Camponotus aethiops), in contrast to Tapinoma subboreale, which was not observed at all on the host plants and which behaved aggressively towards the larvae. Therefore, the caterpillar is expected to show a certain ant host selectivity. The study constitutes an essential contribution to our knowledge of the natural history of a protected butterfly species, which can be used as a basis for more appropriate management strategies, while also shedding light on aspects of myrmecophilous relationships in Lycaenidae in general.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Butterflies, Conservation, Mutualism, Myrmecophily
Subjects: Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH540 Ecology / ökológia
Q Science / természettudomány > QL Zoology / állattan
Q Science / természettudomány > QL Zoology / állattan > QL750-QL782.5 Animal behavior / etológia, állat-viselkedéstan
Depositing User: dr. Bálint Markó
Date Deposited: 21 Sep 2016 10:27
Last Modified: 21 Sep 2016 10:27
URI: http://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/39710

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