Oviposition and habitat preferences of

Hamearis lucina

References

Acknowledgements

Contact information

E-mail: stinapersson@gmail.com

Web page: http://cms.ifm.liu.se/biology/master_projects/2006/kripe731/

I would like to thank my supervisor Karl-Olof Bergman for all help and patience. I

also thank Jan Landin and Karin Sundblad Tonderski for indispensable help with a

troublesome Kjeldahl distilling unit. Last but not least thanks to Dan Nilsson at the County administration board for help and

interest in my project.

Kruys I (1998) The Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Hamearis lucina Linneaus 1758). Observations regarding its ecology on Omberg in Östergötland, Sweden. Entomologisk Tidskrift 119: 2, 77-82.

ArtDatabanken, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (2005) Nationalnyckeln till Sveriges flora och fauna; Fjärilar: Dagfjärilar. Ruter Media Group, Laholm.

Bourn NAD, Thomas JA (1993) The ecology and conservation of the Brown Argus butterfly Aricia agestis in Britain. Biological Conservation 63, 67-74.

Sparks TH, Porter K, Greatorex-Davies JN, Hall ML, Marrs RH, (1994) The choice of oviposition sites in woodland by the Duke of Burgundy butterfly Hamearis lucina in England. Biological Conservation 70, 257-264.

Final thesis

Kristina Persson

International Master Programme Applied Biology 2006,

IFM, Linköping University.

Introduction Results

Conclusion

Discussion

Situated in sward around 10 cm, generally taller than average: Probably for protection from dehydration of host plant and eggs. Growing in a higher density of P. veris than average: Because the larvae have a larger chance of finding another host plant if the first one is ended or dying.

Located closer to bushes, trees or forest edges: Bushes and trees give protection from direct sunshine and grazing animals.

More nitrogen-rich than average: Plants with more nitrogen were taller and grew at shadier sites, which may be the reason they were chosen. Otherwise, it may be that the larvae benefit from the higher nitrogen content.

A habitat suitable for Hamearis lucina should be rich in bushes and woodland edges, lightly grazed and contain areas with high densities of Primula veris.

Many butterflies have a hard time nowadays, because of the changes in land use in the last decades. Intensified forestry and agriculture have resulted in fragmentation and destruction of suitable habitats (Kruys 1998).

The Hamearis lucina butterfly is included in the Swedish redlist, and since the beginning of the 21st century almost completely dependent on conservation measures (ArtDatabanken 2005).

To be able to save a species at risk of extinction it is important to know as much as possible about its preferences (Bourn & Thomas 1993). If you know what a species need to complete its life cycle you have the possibility to change the management of the area to the species’ advantage.

Hamearis lucina females have very specific requirements in terms of host plant for their eggs and the surrounding environment (Sparks et al. 1994). Mostly Primula veris is used as host plant, but the plant has to grow under the right contitions to be a possible site for egg-laying.

Control plants compared to plants used by the butterfly for egg-laying. Error bars show 95% confidence interval. Level of significance * = 0.05>p>0.01 *** = p<0.001

The aim of my study was to find out the egg-laying and habitat preferences of the Hamearis lucina butterfly.

Hamearis lucina females preferred to lay their eggs on Primula veris which were: Flowering: Probably because it is easier for the females to find flowering plants.

Taller than average: Most likely because that gives more food for the larvae to eat.

0

10

20

30

Height (cm) P. veriswithin 1 m

Swardheight (cm)

Distance totree/bush

(m)

Distance toforest

edge (m)

Nitrogencontent (%)

Control plants

Plants used for oviposition

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