Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Vegetation heterogeneity caused by an ecosystem engineer drives oviposition-site selection of a threatened grassland insect

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arthropod-Plant Interactions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soil-disturbing ecosystem engineers play an important role in plant-species diversity in grasslands as they increase vegetation heterogeneity by creating gaps due to burrowing or mound-building activities. However, knowledge of the ecological importance of these microsites for arthropods is still rare. In this study, we analyse the role of ant-nest mounds of the yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus) for oviposition-site selection of the silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma). Ant mounds were searched for H. comma eggs. Microclimatic and vegetation parameters were ascertained at occupied sites and control sites within the matrix vegetation. Furthermore, we analysed the habitat requirements of L. flavus by means of nest counting and the sampling of environmental parameters within different sites. L. flavus occurred most frequently in abandoned and less steep sites with deeper soils. Mean egg occupancy rates of H. comma on ant hills were 32 %, nearly twice as high as at control sites (18 %). In contrast to the surrounding vegetation, nest mounds were characterized by a lower vegetation cover and litter and a higher proportion of bare ground. Furthermore, they had a higher cover of host plants compared with control samples. These microhabitats offered the following essential key factors for the larval development of H. comma: (1) a suitable microclimate due to open vegetation and (2) a high amount of host plants. This study highlights the importance of L. flavus as an ecosystem engineer within central European grasslands because this species increases vegetation heterogeneity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbas F, Picot D, Merlet J, Cargnelutti B, Lourtet B, Angibault J-M, Daufresne T, Aulagnier S, Verheyden H (2012) A typical browser, the roe deer, may consume substantial quantities of grasses in open landscapes. Eur J Wildl Res 59:69–75. doi:10.1007/s10344-012-0648-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Augustine DJ, Baker BW (2013) Associations of grassland bird communities with black-tailed prairie dogs in the North American great plains. Conserv Biol 27:324–334. doi:10.1111/cobi.12013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blomqvist MM, Olff H, Blaauw MB, Bongers T, van der Putten W-H (2000) Interactions between above-and belowground biota:importance for small-scale vegetation mosaics in a grassland ecosystem. Oikos 90:582–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bobbink R, Hornung M, Roelofs JGM (1998) The effects of air-borne nitrogen pollutants on species diversity in natural and semi-natural European vegetation. J Ecol 86:717–738. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2745.1998.8650717.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Börschig C, Klein AM, von Wehrden H, Krauss J (2013) Traits of butterfly communities change from specialist to generalist characteristics with increasing land-use intensity. Bas Appl Ecol 14:547–554. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2013.09.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins S (2009) Landscape history and soil properties affect grassland decline and plant species richness in rural landscapes. Biol Conserv 142:2752–2758. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2009.07.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins SAO, Eriksson O (2008) After the hotspots are gone. Land use history and grassland plant species diversity in a strongly transformed agricultural landscape. Appl Veg Sci 11:365–374. doi:10.3170/2008-7-18480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Critchley CNR, Burke MJW, Stevens DP (2003) Conservation of lowland semi-natural grasslands in the UK: a review of botanical monitoring results from agri-environment schemes. Biol Conserv 115:263–278. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(03)00146-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dauber J, Wolters V (2005) Colonization of temperate grasslands by ants. Bas Appl Ecol 6:83–91. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2004.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dauber J, Rommeler A, Wolters V (2006) The ant Lasius flavus alters the viable seed bank in pastures. Eur J Soil Biol 42:S157–S163. doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2006.06.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson AD, Lightfood DC (2008) Burrowing rodents increase landscape heterogeneity in a desert grassland. J Arid Environ 72:1133–1145. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.12.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies ZG, Wilson RJ, Brereton TM, Thomas CD (2005) The re-expansion and improving status of the silver-spotted skipper butterfly (Hesperia comma) in Britain: a metapopulation success story. Biol Conserv 124:189–198. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.01.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies ZG, Wilson RJ, Coles S, Thomas CD (2006) Changing habitat associations of a thermally constrained species, the silver-spotted skipper butterfly, in response to climate warming. J Anim Ecol 75:247–256

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dean WRJ, Milton SJ, Klotz S (1997) The role of ant nest-mounds in maintaining small-scale patchiness in dry grasslands in Central Germany. Biodivers Conserv 6:1293–1307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dlussky GM (1981) Nester von Lasius flavus. Pedobiologia 21:81–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Drobnik J, Römermann C, Bernhardt-Römermann M, Poschlod P (2011) Adaptation of plant functional group composition to management changes in calcareous grassland. Agric Ecosyst Environ 145:29–37. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2010.12.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebert G, Rennwald E (1991) Die Schmetterlinge Baden-Württembergs. Bd. 2: Tagfalter II. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart

  • Eilers S, Pettersson LB, Ockinger E (2013) Micro-climate determines oviposition site selection and abundance in the butterfly Pyrgus. armoricanus at its northern range margin. Ecol Entomol 38:183–192. doi:10.1111/een.12008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagan KC, Pywell RF, Bullock JM, Marrs RH (2008) Are ants useful indicators of restoration success in temperate grasslands? Restor Ecol 18:373–379. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100X.2008.00452.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fartmann T (2004) Die Schmetterlingsgemeinschaften der Halbtrockenrasen-Komplexe des Diemeltales. Biozönologie von Tagfaltern und Widderchen in einer alten Hudelandschaft. Abh Westf Mus Naturkde 66:1–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Fartmann T (2006) Oviposition preferences, adjacency of old woodland and isolation explain the distribution of the Duke of Burgundy butterfly (Hamearis lucina) in calcareous grasslands in central Germany. Ann Zool Fenn 43:335–347

    Google Scholar 

  • Fartmann T, Mattes H (2003) Störungen als ökologischer Schlüsselfaktor beim Komma-Dickkopffalter (Hesperia comma). Abh Westf Mus Naturkde 65:131–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldmann R (2009) Buckelwiesen, Buckelweiden: Häufung von Nesthügeln der Gelben Wiesenameise, Lasius flavus. Ameisenschutz akt 23:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Barros E, Fartmann T (2009) Butterfly oviposition: sites, behaviour and modes. In: Settele J, Shreeve TG, Konvicka M, van Dyck H (eds) Ecology of butterflies in Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 29–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP, Hodgson JG, Hunt R (2007) Comparative plant ecology, 2nd edn. Castlepoint Press, Dalbeattie

    Google Scholar 

  • Hermann G, Steiner R (1997) Eiablage- und Larvalhabitat des Komma-Dickkopffalters (Hesperia comma LINNÉ 1758). Carolinea 55:35–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones CG, Lawton JH, Shachak M (1994) Organisms as ecosystem engineers. Oikos 69:373–386. doi:10.2307/3545850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamczyc J, Gwiazdowicz DJ (2013) The diversity of soil mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in yellow ant (Lasius flavus) nests along a gradient of land use. Biologia 68:314–318. doi:10.2478/s11756-013-0154-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King TJ (1977) The plant ecology of ant-hills in calcareous grasslands. I. Patterns of species in relation to ant-hills in southern England. J Ecol 65:235–256. doi:10.2307/2259077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krämer B, Poniatowski D, Fartmann T (2012a) Effects of landscape and habitat quality on butterfly communities in pre-alpine calcareous grasslands. Biol Conserv 152:253–261. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2012.03.038

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krämer B, Kämpf I, Enderle J, Poniatowski D, Fartmann T (2012b) Microhabitat selection in a grassland butterfly: a trade-off between microclimate and food availability. J Insect Conserv 16:857–865. doi:10.1007/s10841-012-9473-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson CR, Bennie JJ, Thomas CD, Hodgson JA, Wilson RJ (2012) Local and landscape management of an expanding range margin under climate change. J Appl Ecol 49:552–561. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02098.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson CR, Bennie J, Hodgson JA, Thomas CD, Wilson RJ (2014) Topographic microclimates drive microhabitat associations at the range margin of a butterfly. Ecography 37:732–740. doi:10.1111/ecog.00535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenoir L (2009) Effects of ants on plant diversity in semi-natural grasslands. Arth-Plant Int 3:163–172. doi:10.1007/s11829-009-9066-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löffler F, Stuhldreher G, Fartmann T (2013) How much care does a shrub-feeding hairstreak butterfly, Satyrium spini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), need in calcareous grasslands? Eur J Entomol 110:145–152. doi:10.14411/eje.2013.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariotte P, Buttler A, Kohler F, Gilgen AK, Spiegelberger T (2013) How do subordinate and dominant species in semi-natural mountain grasslands relate to productivity and land-use change? Bas Appl Ecol 14:217–224. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2013.02.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Möllenbeck V, Hermann G, Fartmann T (2009) Does prescribed burning mean a threat to the rare satyrine butterfly Hipparchia fagi? Larval-habitat preferences give the answer. J Insect Conserv 13:77–87. doi:10.1007/s10841-007-9128-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Wille W (1981) Westfalen. Landschaftliche Ordnung und Bindung eines Landes. 2. Auflage. Aschendorffsche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Münster

  • Munguira M, Garcia-Barros E, Cano JM (2009) Butterfly herbivory and larval ecology. In: Settele J, Shreeve TG, Konvička M, van Dyck H (eds) Ecology of butterflies in Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 43–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Pontin AJ (1978) The numbers and distribution of subterranean aphids and their exploitation by the ant Lasius flavus (Fabr.). Ecol Entomol 3:203–207. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1978.tb00920.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2016) R: a language and environment for statistical computing http://www.R-project.org. Accessed 17 Feb 2016

  • Reinhardt R, Bolz R (2011) Rote Liste und Gesamtartenliste der Tagfalter (Rhopalocera) (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea et Hesperioidea) Deutschlands. Natursch Biol Vielfalt 70:167–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy DB, Thomas JA (2003) Seasonal variation in the niche, habitat availability and population fluctuations of a bivoltine thermophilous insect near its range margin. Oecologia 134:439–444

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sala OE, Chapin FS, Armesto JJ, Berlow E, Bloomfield J, Dirzo R, Huber-Sanwald E, Huenneke LF, Jackson RB, Kinzig B, Leemans R, Lodge DM, Mooney HA, Oesterheld M, LeRoy PN, Sykes MT, Walker BH, Walker M, Wall DH (2000) Global biodiversity scenarios for the year 2100. Science 287:1770–1774. doi:10.1126/science.287.5459.1770

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seifan M, Tielbörger K, Schloz-Murer D, Seifan T (2010) Contribution of molehill disturbances to grassland community composition along a productivity gradient. Acta Oecol 36:569–577. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2010.08.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert B (1993) Die freilebenden Ameisenarten Deutschlands (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) und Angaben zu deren Taxonomie und Verbreitung. Abh Ber Naturkundemus Görlitz 67:1–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Seifert B (2007) Die Ameisen Mittel- und Nordeuropas. Lutra Verlags- und Vertriebsgesellschaft, Boxberg

  • Stoutjesdijk P, Barkman JJ (1992) Microclimate Vegetation and Fauna. Opulus Press, Uppsala

    Google Scholar 

  • Streitberger M, Fartmann T (2013) Molehills as important larval habitats for the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) in calcareous grasslands. Eur J Entomol 110:643–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streitberger M, Fartmann T (2015) Vegetation and climate determine ant-mound occupancy by a declining herbivorous insect in grasslands. Acta Oecol 68:43–49. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2015.07.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streitberger M, Hermann G, Kraus W, Fartmann T (2012) Modern forest management and the decline of the woodland brown (Lopinga achine) in Central Europe. Forest Ecol Manage 269:239–248. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.12.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streitberger M, Rose S, Hermann G, Fartmann T (2014) The role of a mound-building ecosystem engineer for a grassland butterfly. J Insect Conserv 18:745–751. doi:10.1007/s10841-014-9670-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas JA (1991) Rare species conservation: case studies of European butterflies. In: Spellerberg IF, Goldsmith FB, Morris MG (eds) The scientific management of temperate communities for conservation. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, pp 149–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas JA (2005) Monitoring change in the abundance and distribution of insects using butterflies and other indicator groups. Phil Trans R Soc Lond Ser B Biol Sci 360:339–357. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1585

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas JA, Thomas CD, Simcox DJ, Clarke RT (1986) Ecology and declining status of the silver-spotted skipper butterfly (Hesperia comma) in Britain. J Appl Ecol 23:365–380. doi:10.2307/2404023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas JA, Telfer MG, Roy DB, Preston CD, Greenwood JJD, Asher J, Fox R, Clarke RT, Lawton JH (2004) Comparative losses of British butterflies, birds, and plants and the global extinction crisis. Science 303:1879–1881. doi:10.1126/science.1095046

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tonne F (1954) Besser Bauen mit Besonnungs- und Tageslicht-Planung. Hofmann, Schorndorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Dijk G (1991) The status of semi-natural grasslands in Europe. In: Goriup PD, Batten LA, Norton JA (eds) The conservation of lowland dry grassland birds in Europe. JNCC, Peterborough, pp 15–36

    Google Scholar 

  • van Swaay CAM (2002) The importance of calcareous grasslands for butterflies in Europe. Biol Conserv 104:315–318. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00196-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Swaay CAM, Warren M (eds) (2003) Prime Butterfly Areas in Europe: Priority Sites for Conservation. National Reference Centre for Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Veen P, Jefferson R, de Smidt J, van der Straaten J (eds) (2009) Grasslands in Europe of high nature value. KNNV Publishing, Zeist

    Google Scholar 

  • Veen GF, Geuverink E, Olff H (2012) Large grazers modify effects of aboveground—belowground interactions on small-scale plant community composition. Oecologia 168:511–518. doi:10.1007/s00442-011-2093-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vickery JA, Tallowin JR, Feber RE, Asteraki EJ, Atkinson PW, Fuller RJ, Brown VK (2001) The management of lowland neutral grasslands in Britain: effects of agricultural practices on birds and their food resources. J Appl Ecol 38:647–664. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00626.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker KJ, Preston CD, Boon CR (2009) Fifty years of change in an area of intensive agriculture: plant trait responses to habitat modification and conservation, Bedfordshire, England. Biodivers Conserv 18:3597–3613. doi:10.1007/s10531-009-9662-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waloff N, Blackith RE (1962) The growth and distribution of the mounds of Lasius flavus (Fabricius) (Hym: Formicidae) in Silwood Park, Berkshire. J Anim Ecol 31:421–437. doi:10.2307/2044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss SB, Murphy DD, White RR (1988) Sun, slope, and butterflies: topographic determinants of habitat quality for Euphydryas editha. Ecology 69:1486–1496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weking S, Hermann G, Fartmann T (2013) Effects of mire type, land use and climate on a strongly declining wetland butterfly. J Insect Conserv 17:1081–1091. doi:10.1007/s10841-013-9585-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wichink Kruit R, Schaap M, Segers A, Heslinga D, Builtjes P, Banzhaf S, Scheuschner T (2014) Modelling and mapping of atmospheric nitrogen and sulphur deposition and critical loads for ecosystem specific assessment of threats to biodiversity in Germany – PINETI (Pollutant INput and EcosysTem Impact). Substudy Report 1. Texte Umweltbundesamt 60/2014: 1–170

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to the Akademie für ökologische Landeserforschung e.V. for partly funding this study. Moreover, we like to thank an anonymous reviewer for valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

Funding

The study was partly supported by the Akademie für ökologische Landeserforschung e.V.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 13, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany

    Merle Streitberger & Thomas Fartmann

  2. Institute of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology (IBL), Hafenweg 31, 48155, Münster, Germany

    Merle Streitberger & Thomas Fartmann

Authors
  1. Merle Streitberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thomas Fartmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Merle Streitberger.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Heikki Hokkanen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Streitberger, M., Fartmann, T. Vegetation heterogeneity caused by an ecosystem engineer drives oviposition-site selection of a threatened grassland insect. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 10, 545–555 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-016-9460-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-016-9460-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation