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Using photographic mark-recapture to estimate population size, movement, and lifespan of a reintroduced butterfly

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Abstract

The chequered skipper butterfly Carterocephalus palaemon was reintroduced to Fineshade Wood, England in 2018 as part of a Butterfly Conservation-led project following several years of planning. From 2019–2022, the population was sampled each May–June by the lead author, timed count volunteers, Butterfly Conservation staff, and casual observers. A novel photographic mark-recapture (PMR) technique was trialled as an alternative to mark-release-recapture (MRR). In conjunction with timed counts, PMR was used to photo-identify individual C. palaemon through each butterfly’s upperside (ups) wing markings, estimate daily and gross population size, detect movements, and determine lifespan. As capture and recapture can be achieved non-invasively using PMR, habitat disturbance, the potential to influence butterfly behaviour, accelerate wing wear, affect mate selection and predation, and heighten mortality risk through handling are eliminated. We found PMR to be a viable alternative to MRR for a sensitive reintroduction of a low-density species with unique ups markings such as C. palaemon. Using capture histories generated through PMR, from a known founder population size of 42 butterflies in 2018, we estimated the population at Fineshade Wood had increased to 618 butterflies (+ 1371.43%) by 2022. Movements of up to 2.22 km over a time period of 17 days were also detected. Lastly, we discuss the implications of PMR for population sampling of other Lepidopterans, and the potential to improve cost-efficiency of the technique using machine-based learning tools.

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Funding

J.P.W. was funded by the University of Northampton, Butterfly Conservation (and its Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire & Essex Branches), the Heather Corrie Fund, and the British Entomological & Natural History Society’s Maitland Emmet Research Fund.

S.O. was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Patsy Wood Trust, the UK Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, and supporters of Butterfly Conservation.

This study would not have been possible without the many dedicated volunteers who spent hundreds of hours recording and photographing Chequered Skipper at Fineshade Wood in Northamptonshire.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, Northampton, NN1 5PH, UK

    Jamie P. Wildman, Jeff Ollerton & Duncan McCollin

  2. Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP, UK

    Jamie P. Wildman, Nigel A. D. Bourn & Susannah O’Riordan

Authors
  1. Jamie P. Wildman
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  2. Jeff Ollerton
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  3. Nigel A. D. Bourn
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  4. Susannah O’Riordan
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  5. Duncan McCollin
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Contributions

J.P.W. wrote the main manuscript text and prepared all figures and tables. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jamie P. Wildman.

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Communicated by Louise Ashton.

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Wildman, J.P., Ollerton, J., Bourn, N.A.D. et al. Using photographic mark-recapture to estimate population size, movement, and lifespan of a reintroduced butterfly. Biodivers Conserv (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02837-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02837-6

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