Differences in oviposition strategies between two ecotypes of the endangered myrmecophilous butterfly Maculinea alcon (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) under unique syntopic conditions. Issue 2 (6th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Czekes, Zsolt; Markó, Bálint; Nash, David R.; Ferencz, Márta; Lázár, Bernadette; Rákosy, László; R. Leather, Simon; DeVries, Phil
• Is Part Of: Insect conservation and diversity. Volume 7:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2013-06-06
• Subjects: Entomology -- Periodicals; Insects -- Conservation -- Periodicals; Biodiversity -- Periodicals; Insects -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.955716
• DOI: 10.1111/icad.12041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-458X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="icad12041-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <list id="icad12041-list-0001" list-type="order"> <list-item> <p>The Alcon Blue <italic>Maculinea alcon</italic> and the Mountain Alcon Blue <italic>Maculinea</italic> '<italic>rebeli</italic>' are obligate ant‐parasitic butterflies with no distinct morphological and genetic differences but clear ecological separation.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The two butterflies generally lay their eggs on distinct host plant species: <italic>M. alcon</italic> on <italic>Gentiana pneumonanthe</italic> and <italic>M</italic>. '<italic>rebeli</italic>' on <italic>Gentiana cruciata</italic>. The egg‐laying behaviour of these two ecotypes has previously only been investigated in sympatric, but not in syntopic populations. We studied the egg‐laying preferences of <italic>M. alcon</italic> and <italic>M</italic>. '<italic>rebeli</italic>' in a unique area where they co‐occur, and where they use different host plants.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The distance to the nearest other host plant does not seem to influence the decision of female butterflies as to whether to lay eggs on a specific host plant.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The two butterflies laid their eggs on different parts of their host plants: <italic>M. alcon</italic> preferred the sepals of <italic>G. pneumonanthe</italic> flower buds, while <italic>M</italic>. '<italic>rebeli</italic>' laid most eggs on the leaves of <italic>G. cruciata</italic>.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The major factor correlated with the number of eggs laid on the host plant seemed to be plant quality (number of flowers, stem length, etc.) for both butterflies.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The present study reveals behavioural differences between the two Alcon Blue forms under unique syntopic conditions, a hidden intraspecific diversity that is worth conserving.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </abstract>