Host plant-mediated effects of climate change on the occurrence of the Alcon blue butterfly (Phengaris alcon)

2013 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anouk Cormont ◽  
G.W. Wieger Wamelink ◽  
René Jochem ◽  
Michiel F. WallisDeVries ◽  
Ruut M.A. Wegman
Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
András Tartally ◽  
Anna Ágnes Somogyi ◽  
Tamás Révész ◽  
David R. Nash

The socially parasitic Alcon blue butterfly (Phengaris alcon) starts its larval stage by feeding on the seeds of gentians, after which it completes development in the nests of suitable Myrmica ant species. The host plant and host ant species can differ at the population level within a region, and local adaptation is common, but some host switches are observed. It has been suggested that one mechanism of change is through the re-adoption of caterpillars by different ant species, either through occupation of abandoned nests or take-over of established nests by competitively superior colonies. To test this question in the lab we introduced relatively strong colonies (50 workers) of alien Myrmica species to the arenas of weaker colonies (two caterpillars with six workers), and to orphaned caterpillars (two caterpillars without ants). We used caterpillars from a xerophylic population of P. alcon, and both local hosts, M. sabuleti and M. scabrinodis, testing the possibility of host switch between these two host ant species during larval development. Most of the caterpillars were successfully readopted by alien ants, and survived well. Our results suggest higher ecological plasticity in host ant usage of this butterfly than generally thought.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Carleial ◽  
Noëlie Maurel ◽  
Mark van Kleunen ◽  
Marc Stift

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1275-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Doury ◽  
J. Pottier ◽  
A. Ameline ◽  
A. Mennerat ◽  
F. Dubois ◽  
...  

Koedoe ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A. Edge

The Brenton Blue butterfly, Orachrysops niobe (Trimen, 1862) (Lepidoptera:Lycaenidae), is endemic to the southern Cape and is currently listed as Endangered. This study looks at some of the key ecological factors influencing the breeding success of the species—host plant abundance and condition, nectar sources, climate/ microclimate, and vegetation management techniques. The adult butterfly population was monitored over an entire breeding season; host plants were identified and individually monitored; and egg counts were done. This enabled the effects of a number of different management techniques to be evaluated (burning, cutting, physical removal of invasive elements, and combinations thereof). A fivefold increase in the population of O. niobe was observed over the breeding season. This increase was positively correlated to a similar increase in host plant abundance in the areas where cutting and physical removal of invasive elements was practiced. Burning, by contrast, appeared to have a negative impact on host plant and butterfly abundance over the same period. Impacts of other factors such as climate, nectar sources and the natural strength of the second brood are discussed. A hypothesis, of megaherbivore activity as the principal historical disturbance mechanism promoting locally favourable conditions for O. niobe to establish and maintain colonies, is proposed. Recommendations for reserve management and future research are made.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Min Jung ◽  
Sang-Geui Lee ◽  
Kwang-Ho Kim ◽  
Sung-Wook Jeon ◽  
Sunghoon Jung ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the potential distribution of the potato tuber moth. This species severely impacts global potato production, especially in China and India, which have the world’s largest potato production. We developed two indices considering host plant availability and production in addition to climatic suitability, which was simulated using the CLIMEX model. Thus, three different indices were used to project potential distribution of the potato tuber moth under a climate change scenario: (1) climatic suitability (ecoclimatic index (EI)) (EIM), (2) climatic suitability combined with host plant availability (EIN1), and (3) climatic suitability combined with host plant production (EIN2). Under the current climate, EIM was high in southern India and central to southern China, while EIN1 and EIN2 were approximately 38% and 20% lower than EIM, respectively. Under the Special Report on Emissions Scenario A1B, the potato tuber moth would probably not occur in India, but its distribution could be extended to the north, reaching N47°. The areas with the highest climatic suitability by potato tuber moth based on three indices were Sichuan and Karnataka in response to climate change. These areas require adequate pest control, such as prevention of spread through transport of potato seed or by using cold storage facilities.


AMBIO ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (S1) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A. Navarro-Cano ◽  
Bengt Karlsson ◽  
Diana Posledovich ◽  
Tenna Toftegaard ◽  
Christer Wiklund ◽  
...  

Insects ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Shivaji Hausrao Thube ◽  
Thava Prakasa Pandian ◽  
Anthara Bhavishya ◽  
Merin Babu ◽  
Arulappan Josephrajkumar ◽  
...  

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is reported causing damage to areca palm plantations (Areca catechu L.—Arecaceae) in Karnataka (India). In particular, X. crassiusculus has been observed attacking and successfully reproducing on areca nuts; besides the new host plant record, the data provided here represent the first documented case of spermatophagy for this xyleborine beetle. All infestation symptoms of this polyphagous pest were documented and illustrated. The identity of the scolytid, besides morphologically, was confirmed by its DNA barcoding. Eggs, larvae and pupae were found within the galleries of infested kernels. All galleries of the infested kernels were characterized by the presence of whitish to greyish fungal growth. The fungus was identified as Ambrosiella roeperi, a known symbiont of Xylosandrus crassiusculus. Incidence of this symbiotic insect-fungus complex in the economic part of arecanut, i.e., the kernel, is of serious concern. In a climate change scenario, this beetle with fungal symbionts may pose a serious threat to arecanut production in India and elsewhere.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajeda Akand ◽  
MA Bashar ◽  
Humayun Reza Khan

The biology of the gram blue butterfly, Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) (Lycaenidae: Lapidoptera) and its relationship with the phenology of host plant cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. (Fabaceae) were studied. Eggs were reared under the laboratory conditions at 28 ± 20C and 74 ± 3% RH. The incubation period of the eggs found to be 2.33 ± 0.51 days, larval developmental period 14.65 ± 0.51 days, pre-pupal period 0.30 ± 0.04 day and pupal period 5.66 ± 0.51 days. The species took 22.94 ± 0.55 days for development from egg to adult under the laboratory condition. The length of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae was 3.66 ± 0.40, 6.16 ± 0.51, 12.16 ± 0.51 and 15.33 ± 0.40 mm, respectively. The pre-pupal length was 9.16 ± 0.61 mm and the pupal length was 9.08 ± 0.37 mm. The host-plant occurs in the field from February to July. The butterfly appeared in March. The coincidence of the gram blue butterfly to its host-plant occurred between April and early July. The oviposition behaviour, incubation and immature stages were found to be profoundly related with host plant-phenological phases.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 39, No. 2, 241-248, 2015


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