Parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of leaf-spinning moths (Lepidoptera) feeding on <i>Vaccinium uliginosum</i> L. along an ecological gradient in central European peat bogs

Parasitoids of leaf-spinning Lepidoptera associated with two isolated central European peat bogs were investigated. Five families of parasitoid Hymenoptera (Braconidae, lchneumonidae, Eulophidae, Pteromalidae and Encyrtidae) were recorded. Three categories were recognised: (1) primary parasitoids, (2) facultative hyperparasitoids and (3) obligatory hyperparasitoids. Ten species of Braconidae, five species and seven marked morphospecies among lchneumonidae, and three species of Chalcidoidea were identified. Despite of some niche-specific (but less host-specific) parasitoids, all these hymenopterans are likely to be generalists and none of them were confirmed to be habitat and/or host specialists. Unlike their eurytopic (opportunistic tyrphoneutral) parasitoids, the Lepidoptera hosts associated with peat bogs are partially highly stenotopic (tyrphobionts and tyrphophiles). The occurrence of parasitoids compared to their potential hosts was structured along an ecological (mesoclimatic) gradient, so most parasitoids were recorded from margins while stenotopic (narrow habitat adaptation) moths were mostly distributed near the centre of the bog habitat.

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Leaf-spinning moths (Lepidoptera) feeding on Vaccinium uliginosum L. along an ecological gradient of central European peat bogs

Entomologica Fennica ◽

10.33338/ef.84170 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karel Spitzer ◽

Josef Jaroš ◽

Aleš Bezdék

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Food Plant ◽

Peat Bogs ◽

Ecological Gradient ◽

Central European ◽

Vaccinium Uliginosum

The leaf-spinning moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae, Gelechiidae, Chimabachidae and Geometridae) associated with the boreal plant Vaccinium uliginosum L. were investigated in two different peat bogs (Mrtvy luh and Chalupská slat’), both situated in the Sumava Mts., Czech Republic. During four years (1998–2001) of collecting leaf spinnings, 19 species of moths were recorded from both localities. Their occurrence was clearly structured along a distinct ecological (mesoclimatic) gradient. Species closely associated with peat bogs (tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous taxa) were found to be most abundant in the treeless centres of both peat bogs in comparison with marginal parts. Vaccinium uliginosum is the only food plant of stenotopic boreal moths Pammene luedersiana (Sorhagen) and Athrips pruinosella (Lienig & Zeller) recorded in the Sumava Mts.

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Demographic variation of dwarf birch (Betula nana) in communities dominated by Ledum palustre and Vaccinium uliginosum

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-010-0007-9 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wojciech Ejankowski

Keyword(s):

Population Growth ◽

Sexual Reproduction ◽

Vegetative Growth ◽

Light Limitation ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Peat Bogs ◽

Betula Nana ◽

Vaccinium Uliginosum ◽

Ledum Palustre ◽

Dwarf Birch

AbstractThe structure and demographic processes were compared in shrub communities to test the effects of vegetation succession on population growth, fecundity and abundance of the dwarf birch (Betula nana L.), which is a rare and endangered plant species in Poland and a glacial relict in Central Europe. The effects of Ledum palustre L. and Vaccinium uliginosum L. were studied in the Linje nature reserve in Chełmińskie Lake District (northern Poland), in three permanent plots on a peat bog. Vegetative growth and reproduction of B. nana were lower in plant communities dominated by L. palustre and V. uliginosum, than in a reference site. Fecundity was also lower, despite the fact that the percentage share of potentially fertile age groups was similar in all study sites. Mortality of ramets was independent of vegetation, both for juvenile and mature stages. The results confirm that B. nana is intolerant of shade, and it is more abundant in vegetation without competitors. Light limitation can lead to its decline, primarily by a decrease in vegetative growth. Sexual reproduction may be negatively affected by shade, but it plays only small role in population growth. Butterfly larvae can destroy inflorescences, and thus contribute to low effectiveness of sexual reproduction. Increasing density of shrubs and trees in peat bogs can reduce the abundance of dwarf birch, and can lead to the extinction of its local populations.

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