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The western jewel butterfly (Hypochrysops halyaetus: Lycaenidae) II: factors affecting oviposition within native Banksia bushland in an urban setting

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Abstract

Oviposition by western jewel butterflies (Hypochrysops halyaetus Hewitson) was studied in the urban Koondoola regional bushland reserve, Western Australia in 1999. Observations were made in a small (70 × 120 m) localised breeding area the ‘microdistribution study area’, and in 14 paired 20 × 20 m quadrats randomly placed along established tracks in the interior of the northern half of the reserve. The principal host plant was Jacksonia sternbergiana with the secondary host being Daviesia divaricata. More Jacksonia were used for oviposition and attended by ants (40 and 71%, respectively) in the microdistribution study than plants in the ‘quadrat’ study (8 and 25%, respectively). Jacksonia stems with basal diameters below 5 mm were less likely to have eggs. PCA showed Jacksonia to be associated with disturbed conditions with a high proportion of bare ground whereas Daviesia was associated with more mature vegetation. Jacksonia density was principally correlated with the proportion of bare ground and time since the last fire. Host ant (Crematogaster perthensis) presence and proportion of bare ground were the most important factors influencing oviposition. The presence of ants was closely associated with bare ground conditions and the presence of coccids. Conservation management for floristic diversity and maturity of vegetation in reserves is likely to be a widespread phenomenon, and may negatively affect the persistence of species requiring ephemeral patches of early successional vegetation. For H. halyaetus, a species dependent on disturbed/ephemeral habitat conditions, this conflict may threaten its survival, especially in small reserves, and as a result its conservation status may be underestimated. Management options are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The work was carried out whilst one of us (JWD) was supported by a Leverhulme fellowship (Leverhulme Foundation) with CSIRO Wildlife & Ecology (now CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) at Perth acting as host organisation in Australia. Matt Williams and Andy Williams of the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) (now Department of Environment and Conservation) provided valuable field and technical advice and encouragement. Tim New (LaTrobe University) and Don Sands (CSIRO Entomology) gave encouragement and an insight into the conservation status of the western jewel. We are grateful to MW, AW, TN, Professor Richard Hobbs, and anonymous referees for helpful comments on an early version of the manuscript. Phyllis Robertson of the friends of the Koondoola bushland was unfailingly supportive and helped in introducing us to the Koondoola reserve, its flora, and management problems. Permission to work on the reserve was granted by the Shire (now City) of Wanneroo.

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Author notes

  1. John W. Dover

    Present address: Institute for Environment, Sustainability & Regeneration, Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE, UK

  2. Lyn Atkins

    Present address: Ecoscape Australia, P.O Box 50, North Fremantle, WA, 6159, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston, UK

    John W. Dover

  2. Institute for Environment, Sustainability & Regeneration, Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE, UK

    Roger L. H. Dennis

  3. CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Private Bag No 5, Wembley, 6913, Western Australia

    Lyn Atkins

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  1. John W. Dover
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Correspondence to John W. Dover.

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Dover, J.W., Dennis, R.L.H. & Atkins, L. The western jewel butterfly (Hypochrysops halyaetus: Lycaenidae) II: factors affecting oviposition within native Banksia bushland in an urban setting. J Insect Conserv 13, 487–503 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-008-9195-9

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